PM Modi Urges Dialogue, Diplomacy at Meeting With Iran’s Pezeshkian

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, with the two leaders discussing the escalating conflict in West Asia and ways to strengthen bilateral ties.

During the meeting, Modi reiterated that India supports all efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace in the region and stressed that disputes should be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy. He also underlined the importance of freedom of navigation and commerce, while calling for the protection of civilians, civilian infrastructure, commercial shipping and seafarers.

The meeting was the first bilateral interaction between Modi and Pezeshkian since the outbreak of the Iran-US conflict in February. Modi said India remained committed to strengthening its long-standing relationship with Iran and expressed New Delhi’s interest in expanding and diversifying bilateral trade in the coming years.

Pezeshkian, meanwhile, urged India to use its extensive diplomatic contacts with countries involved in the conflict to encourage a shift from war and bloodshed towards dialogue and negotiations. The Iranian president also appreciated India’s support and cooperation during the recent conflict.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said India remained concerned about the wider West Asia conflict, particularly incidents involving attacks on ships that resulted in the deaths of Indian seafarers. He said New Delhi had conveyed its concerns to all relevant parties.

The two sides also discussed Chabahar Port, where India and Iran have been cooperating to strengthen regional connectivity and trade. Misri said India remained engaged with stakeholders to find a sustainable way forward for the project amid the impact of the regional conflict and sanctions.

Modi also reiterated India’s readiness to cooperate with Iran through multilateral platforms, including BRICS and the SCO, and invited Pezeshkian to India for the upcoming BRICS Summit.

Separately, Modi met Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and discussed expanding cooperation in defence, IT, space, education and pharmaceuticals, along with stronger trade and investment ties.