Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, amid heightened tensions in West Asia.
The meeting was the first in-person interaction between the two leaders since the conflict involving Iran began in February.
According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, the two leaders reviewed the latest developments in India-Iran bilateral relations and discussed ways to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and other senior Iranian officials were also present at the meeting.
The talks come as the geopolitical situation in West Asia remains volatile amid the ongoing confrontation between Iran and the United States.
For India, its relationship with Iran carries significant strategic and economic importance. Iran has been among India’s major trading partners in the region, but economic activity and connectivity have faced disruptions because of US sanctions on Tehran and instability around the Strait of Hormuz.
The two leaders had last spoken by phone in June, when Pezeshkian briefed Modi on developments in the Middle East. Modi had welcomed efforts to end the conflict and stressed the importance of continued diplomatic efforts towards lasting peace and stability.
Pezeshkian, who has backed a negotiated resolution to the conflict, said earlier that Iran does not seek war but would respond decisively to aggression.
He also stressed that continued instability in West Asia would be harmful to countries across the region and called for greater cooperation on economic and security issues.
Before his meeting with the Iranian president, Modi also held talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of the SCO summit.
The two leaders discussed strengthening cooperation across sectors including defence, trade, pharmaceuticals, science and technology, culture and education.
They also exchanged views on regional and global developments, including the situation in West Asia.
Modi reiterated India's interest in working closely with Armenia to further expand bilateral ties.
The Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit.
Modi is expected to attend the official opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games, hosted at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov.
With meetings involving Iran, Armenia and Russia, Modi's SCO visit comes at a time when India is engaging with multiple regional powers while maintaining its diplomatic position amid growing geopolitical tensions.
