Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit. 

The discussions centred on bilateral ties, trade, the prevailing situation in West Asia, and the safety of seafarers. Modi urged that commercial shipping must be protected and stressed that seafarers and civilians should not be harmed amid the ongoing crisis in the region.

The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that the two leaders reviewed recent developments in West Asia. Modi reiterated India’s consistent position that disputes must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.

He emphasised the need for sustained efforts to ensure peace and stability, while underlining the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and commerce.

Modi also conveyed India’s readiness to closely cooperate with Iran in multilateral organisations, including BRICS and SCO.

He expressed his anticipation of welcoming President Pezeshkian to India for the BRICS Summit scheduled in New Delhi on 12–13 September. This invitation reflects India’s intent to strengthen collective engagement and deepen cooperation with Iran on global platforms.

The Prime Minister highlighted New Delhi’s resolve to expand and diversify bilateral trade channels with Iran. He emphasised India’s dedication to deepening historic ties across multiple domains, including energy, infrastructure, and cultural exchanges.

PM Modi shared details of the engagement on social media, noting that he had reiterated India’s commitment to strengthening its long-standing friendship with Iran across diverse sectors.

He added that India wants to expand and diversify its trade basket in the times to come. Modi confirmed that discussions also touched upon the prevailing situation in the region, with India continuing to support all efforts aimed at ensuring lasting peace. Jaiswal described the meeting as fruitful, noting that it focused on bilateral cooperation and a review of geopolitical dynamics across West Asia.

The high-level discussions took place against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts in West Asia, which have impacted regional stability, commercial navigation, and maritime logistics. Modi stressed the necessity of sustained initiatives to promote regional stability, security, and the protection of maritime commerce.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, along with other senior delegates from Tehran, attended the bilateral meeting, underscoring the importance Iran attaches to its ties with India.

The meeting built upon established diplomatic channels, as Modi and Pezeshkian had previously held a telephone conversation where the Iranian President briefed the Indian Prime Minister on developments in West Asia and the way forward.

Both leaders had earlier spoken on 21 March, during which they discussed in detail the security situation in the region. These repeated engagements highlight the continuity of dialogue between New Delhi and Tehran amid the crisis.

Modi is currently on an official visit to Kyrgyzstan to attend the 26th SCO Summit and the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games. Earlier in the day, he held a bilateral meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, where the two leaders discussed strengthening cooperation across various sectors and reviewed the West Asia situation.

The sequence of meetings underscores India’s active diplomatic outreach in the region and beyond.

ANI