During a recent visit to New Delhi for the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov proposed India as a mediator in the ongoing tensions between Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He praised India's diplomatic experience and its current role as BRICS chair, suggesting that India could facilitate discussions to promote long-term stability in the Middle East. Lavrov pointed out that Pakistan is already working to foster dialogue between the US and Iran, and he believes India could similarly help bridge gaps between Tehran and Abu Dhabi. He emphasized India's vested interest in regional stability as a major energy consumer, particularly in light of the impending expiration of US sanctions waivers on Russian and Iranian oil. Lavrov also criticized the US and Israel for allegedly fueling hostilities in the region, asserting that Russia aims to reduce tensions through diplomatic engagement. He called for understanding the root causes of conflicts, which he attributes to unprovoked aggression from the US and Israel, and highlighted the importance of dialogue to avoid further escalation.