Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Monday. The two leaders used the occasion to review bilateral ties and discuss regional developments, according to statements from the Indian government.
Modi said India aims to expand and diversify its trade basket with Iran in the coming years and urged a resolution of the West Asia conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. He reiterated India’s concern over escalating tensions, reaffirmed support for efforts that ensure lasting peace, and highlighted the need to protect freedom of navigation and civilian infrastructure in the region.
The Iranian readout recorded President Pezeshkian’s appreciation for New Delhi’s support during recent hostilities and his call for intensified diplomatic activity to secure peace. He criticized what he described as U.S. reliance on force, and asked India to leverage its extensive contacts to steer regional actors away from war toward negotiation and cooperation.
Modi also held a separate bilateral meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, outlining plans to deepen cooperation in defence, information technology, space, education and pharmaceuticals, and to boost trade and investment links.
