Iran's Supreme National Security Council Deputy Secretary Ghadir Nezami arrived in New Delhi on Monday, 22 June to attend the Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and Heads of Security Agencies, a two-day conclave bringing together top security officials from member states to address evolving global threats.

Iran's Participation and Expected Engagements

According to a post on X by the Iran Embassy in India, Nezami is scheduled to attend specialised sessions and hold bilateral meetings with senior officials from participating countries. The embassy stated that the discussions will centre on 'security issues and multilateral cooperation.' This marks a notable engagement for Tehran within the BRICS security framework, as the grouping expands its strategic footprint beyond economic coordination.

India Chairs the Meeting Under NSA Ajit Doval

The meeting is being chaired by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, according to a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) press release. Delegates include National Security Advisers and heads of delegation from all BRICS member states. The two-day format — running 22–23 June — reflects the growing complexity of the agenda, which goes well beyond traditional security concerns.

Non-Traditional Security Challenges at the Core

The MEA confirmed that the central theme of the meeting is 'Non-traditional security challenges confronting the world today.' Discussions are expected to cover the rapidly shifting security landscape, with particular emphasis on cybersecurity, digital vulnerabilities, artificial intelligence-driven risks, and other non-conventional threats. This comes amid a global surge in state-sponsored cyberattacks and growing unease over AI's role in modern conflict and surveillance.

Counter-Terrorism and ICT Security Under Review

Participants will also review outcomes from the recently concluded BRICS Joint Working Groups on Counter-Terrorism and on Security in the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The review is expected to inform the next phase of collective action among member nations on transnational threats — a domain where BRICS has sought to position itself as an alternative multilateral voice to Western-led security frameworks.

India's Strategic Role Within BRICS

The meeting underscores India's continued effort to steer BRICS discussions toward global governance and strategic security issues. The grouping has steadily broadened its mandate from trade and development to include technology governance and geopolitical risk — areas where New Delhi has sought greater influence. With the BRICS bloc now encompassing a wider set of nations following its 2024 expansion, the security architecture discussions carry heightened significance for the global south.