Before the official BRICS meeting began, Paknejad told reporters upon arriving in India last Wednesday that Iran and India "have enjoyed long-standing historical relations for centuries" and reaffirmed Tehran's readiness to expand cooperation across all sectors, particularly energy. His remarks reflected the central objective of the visit: advancing bilateral ties while strengthening multilateral cooperation within the BRICS framework.

 Oil: The Foundation of Economic Relations

For decades, Iran and India have been key partners in the energy sector. India's rapid economic growth has made it one of the world's largest energy consumers, while Iran's geographic proximity, high-quality crude oil and competitive transportation costs positioned it as one of the main suppliers to Indian refiners.

Before 2019, India ranked among Iran's largest crude oil customers, at times importing more than 600,000 barrels per day. In addition to oil trade, the two countries held extensive discussions on developing the Farzad B gas field, investing in upstream and downstream energy projects, and expanding energy infrastructure.

The reimposition of US sanctions and the termination of waivers for Iranian oil imports significantly disrupted bilateral energy cooperation, prompting Indian refiners to halt purchases of Iranian crude. Although this removed one of Iran's largest export markets, dialogue on broader energy cooperation never ceased. Projects such as Chabahar Port, the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), and investment opportunities in the energy sector have remained priorities for both countries.

Beyond Oil Trade

Paknejad's visit marked one of the first major efforts to reinvigorate these discussions following recent regional developments.

On the first day of his trip, he met with India's Minister of Power and Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation. He later held talks with India's Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, on the sidelines of the BRICS Energy Ministers' Meeting, focusing on cooperation in oil, gas and commercial activities.

Following the visit, Paknejad said discussions also covered potential Indian participation and investment in Iranian oil industry projects. Such cooperation, if conditions permit, could elevate bilateral relations beyond crude oil trade to include joint investment in oil and gas development projects.

BRICS: A Platform for New Cooperation

A significant portion of Paknejad's visit was devoted to the BRICS Energy Ministers' Meeting, where Iran sought not only to deepen bilateral ties but also to play a more active role in energy cooperation among emerging economies.

In his address, Paknejad described recent attacks on Iran's oil, gas, refining and petrochemical infrastructure as threats to global energy security, stressing that stability in international energy markets depends on closer cooperation between producing and consuming nations.

He also pointed to rising geopolitical risks, energy market volatility, growing global demand and the need for sustained investment in the oil and gas sector. In response, he proposed establishing a BRICS Energy Security Partnership under the BRICS Energy Cooperation Roadmap 2025-2030. The initiative would focus on protecting critical energy infrastructure, strengthening supply chain resilience, promoting investment and facilitating information exchange among member states.

Highlighting Iran's energy potential, the minister said the country produces more than 280 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, has crude oil production capacity of 4.2 million barrels per day and petroleum product production capacity of 2.4 million barrels per day. He said these capabilities could contribute to broader energy cooperation within BRICS.

Technology as a New Pillar of Energy Cooperation

Another key event during the visit was Paknejad's participation in the inauguration of the BRICS Centre of Excellence for Digital Technologies, Smart Grids and Energy Storage.

He described the center as a milestone for energy cooperation among BRICS members, emphasizing that digital technologies, smart grids, energy storage, artificial intelligence and knowledge sharing will be among the most critical drivers of the global energy industry in the coming decades.

According to Paknejad, the center can help narrow technological gaps among BRICS countries while promoting technology transfer, technical capacity building and joint projects. His remarks reflected the growing importance of technology as a complement to traditional energy trade.

Culture: A Lasting Foundation

Unlike many economic partnerships, relations between Iran and India are rooted not only in commercial interests but also in deep cultural connections that have endured for centuries.

Persian served as the official language across much of the Indian subcontinent for nearly seven centuries, and the works of Persian literary figures such as Hafez, Saadi and Rumi were studied extensively in India's academic institutions. Iranian architectural influences on landmarks including the Taj Mahal, the presence of the Parsi community in India, Persian language programs at Indian universities, academic exchanges and cultural festivals all continue to reinforce the historical bonds between the two nations.

Looking Beyond the Past

Recent developments indicate that Tehran and New Delhi are seeking to redefine their relationship in response to evolving global energy and economic dynamics. While crude oil exports once formed the core of bilateral cooperation, the agenda has expanded to include joint investment, technology transfer, energy security, collaboration through BRICS, infrastructure development, smart energy systems and greater use of regional transit corridors.

Viewed from this perspective, Paknejad's visit to India represented more than a routine diplomatic engagement. It reflected an effort to build a new phase of Iran-India relations by combining the countries' longstanding historical and cultural ties with the emerging opportunities offered by BRICS—keeping energy at the center of cooperation while broadening the partnership to encompass technology, investment and global energy security.