Bishkek Meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The meeting was the first between the two leaders in two years, according to multiple reports.

In a post on social media platform X, Modi said: "Met President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek. Reiterated our commitment to strengthening India's long-standing friendship with Iran across diverse sectors. We want to expand and diversify our trade basket in the times to come. We had a discussion on the prevailing situation in the region. India will continue to support all efforts aimed at ensuring lasting peace."

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the meeting as a "fruitful meeting." According to Jaiswal, the two leaders discussed various aspects of bilateral ties and reviewed recent developments in West Asia. He said Modi reiterated India's consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.

Focus on Trade and Regional Stability

The meeting focused on expanding trade and deepening strategic ties between India and Iran. Modi expressed India's resolve to "expand and diversify" bilateral trade with Iran, and said New Delhi wanted to deepen its longstanding relationship with Tehran.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the two leaders discussed bilateral ties, trade, the prevailing situation in West Asia, and the safety of seafarers. Modi also underlined the need for continued efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region and to safeguard freedom of navigation and commerce.

Modi urged the protection of commercial shipping and insisted that seafarers and civilians must not be harmed amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. The meeting took place against the backdrop of a prolonged conflict in the region that has had a human toll on Indians. At least 16 Indian nationals, including 10 seafarers, have died in the conflict since January, while 75 others have been injured, the government had informed Parliament last month.

Modi also conveyed to Pezeshkian that he looked forward to welcoming him to India for the BRICS Summit scheduled in New Delhi on September 12-13.

Iranian Perspective

The Iranian Embassy in India said Pezeshkian thanked India for its support and cooperation, and emphasized the need to intensify diplomatic efforts to establish peace and security in the region. The Embassy quoted Pezeshkian as saying: "We believe that the solution to the issues we face lies in dialogue and cooperation, and that all available capacities must be mobilised to prevent the spread of insecurity and conflict."

According to the Embassy, Pezeshkian also emphasized Tehran's readiness to further develop and deepen bilateral relations between Iran and India in all areas, referring to the long-standing and friendly relations between the two countries. Both sides stressed the importance of making use of existing capacities to expand economic and trade relations and strengthen strategic cooperation.

Cooperation in the fields of transportation and maritime affairs, developments related to the Strait of Hormuz, and the progress of cooperation at Chabahar Port were among the most important issues discussed, the statement said.

Other Bilateral Meetings and Activities

On the sidelines of the SCO Summit, Modi also held a bilateral meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Modi said India-Armenia cooperation was set to grow in areas including defence, information technology, space, education, and pharmaceuticals.

The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including defence, economic, pharma, science and technology, culture, and education.

During his visit, Modi also visited the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi in Bishkek and paid tribute, according to reports. He interacted with Yoga practitioners, academics, ITEC alumni, and researchers.

Modi is on an official visit to Kyrgyzstan to attend the 26th SCO Summit and the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games.