External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh on the sidelines of the 11th edition of the Raisina Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi on Friday. The discussions come amid heightened tensions in West Asia following joint US-Israel strikes on Iran on February 28, aimed at degrading Tehran’s missile capabilities and military infrastructure. The initial strikes reportedly targeted senior Iranian leadership, prompting retaliatory drone and missile attacks by Iran across the region.
The Raisina Dialogue, India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, commenced on March 5 and will continue through March 7. Organised by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, the three-day event brings together heads of state, ministers, strategic experts, academics, industry leaders, think tanks, and members of the media to deliberate on pressing global challenges. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the dialogue, with Finland President Alexander Stubb delivering the keynote address.
During the conference, Jaishankar also held bilateral meetings with several international dignitaries, including French Minister Delegate for Europe Benjamin Haddad, Germany’s State Secretary for Economic Cooperation and Development Niels Annen, and Tanzania’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ng’waru Jumanne Maghembe. In addition, he interacted with leading global think-tank representatives, including Robert Vass, founder and president of GLOBESEC, and Mark Leonard, co-founder and director of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).
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The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that the 2026 edition of the Raisina Dialogue is themed “Saṁskāra – Assertion, Accommodation, Advancement.” Over the course of three days, participants will engage across six thematic pillars, covering issues such as contested frontiers, climate and conflict, trade dynamics, technological advancement, and the pursuit of the 2030 development agenda.
The meeting between Jaishankar and Khatibzadeh reflects India’s ongoing diplomatic engagement in the West Asia region amid evolving geopolitical dynamics. Both ministers are expected to have discussed regional security, diplomatic channels, and the broader need for de-escalation in the wake of the recent hostilities.
The dialogue continues to serve as a key platform for India to engage with global leaders on critical issues, strengthen bilateral and multilateral partnerships, and contribute to international discourse on peace, security, and development.
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