India, Iran security chiefs hold talks on regional security, BRICS follow-up
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Dr Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, held a telephone conversation on Monday, 12 October 2026, exchanging views on the latest regional and international developments and issues of mutual interest, according to the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi. The high-level contact signals an active diplomatic channel between the two countries amid a volatile West Asian security landscape.
What the Two Officials Discussed
The Iranian Embassy confirmed the call in a post on X, quoting directly: "Dr Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran, held a telephone conversation this evening with Shri Ajit Doval, National Security Adviser of the Republic of India, during which they exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments and issues of mutual interest to the two countries."
No specific agenda items were publicly disclosed, though the timing — following a recent leaders-level meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit — points to continuity in the bilateral engagement framework.
BRICS Follow-Up and Pezeshkian's Instructions
The call comes days after Iran's Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, disclosed that Tehran was actively pursuing commitments made when Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the margins of the BRICS Summit last month. Fathali said Pezeshkian had acted swiftly after the meeting.
"From the very first days after these discussions, President Pezeshkian issued the necessary instructions to the relevant ministries and authorities, and the matters agreed during the meeting are being pursued seriously by the relevant institutions. Various issues are on the agenda in Iran-India relations. Implementing the agreements properly and turning them into practical results requires time and sustained follow-up," Fathali said.
He added: "Iran is committed to further developing and deepening relations with India across various fields. We believe the existing capacities between the two countries provide a basis for broader and more productive cooperation."
India's Concerns Over Shipping Attacks
New Delhi has also kept the issue of attacks on commercial shipping firmly on the bilateral agenda. In July, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, during which he conveyed India's deep concerns over ongoing regional hostilities.
Jaishankar wrote on X: "Had a telephonic conversation with FM Araghchi of Iran this evening. Conveyed our deep concerns at the ongoing hostilities in the region. Strongly urged that attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers be avoided under any circumstances. India condemns any such attack by any party."
The reiteration of this position at the security-adviser level underscores how central maritime safety remains to India-Iran diplomatic exchanges, given New Delhi's significant trade and energy exposure in the Arabian Sea corridor.
Broader Context: India-Iran Ties
India and Iran share layered strategic interests — from the Chabahar Port connectivity project and energy trade to people-to-people ties and regional counter-terrorism cooperation. The Doval-Rezaei call fits a pattern of sub-ministerial security consultations that have intensified as West Asian tensions have escalated. This is the latest in a series of high-level contacts since the BRICS Summit, suggesting both sides are working to convert summit-level goodwill into concrete bilateral outcomes.
With the BRICS follow-up framework now operationalised at the security level, watchers will track whether the two sides move toward formalising cooperation mechanisms in the weeks ahead.