In a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the margins of the SCO summit in Bishkek, PM Modi called for freedom of navigation and commerce while stressing that civilians and civilian infrastructure, including commercial shipping, and seafarers, must not be harmed under any circumstances. Despite the threat of US sanctions, both of them backed efforts to expand trade ties.The two discussed the West Asia situation, including the Strait of Hormuz and Chabahar port cooperation, in what was their first bilateral meeting in nearly two years. Pezeshkian urged Modi to use India’s “extensive” contacts to wean away parties involved in the war.PM Modi expressed concern over escalation of tensions and reiterated the significance of resolving all issues through dialogue and diplomacy, while seeking lasting peace and stability in the region.Pezeshkian blamed the US for failing to fulfil its commitments and said continuation of the war was not in the interests of humanity.He urged Modi to use India’s “extensive” contacts to wean away the parties involved from the path of bloodshed and war. The President also called for expanding bilateral cooperation in political, economic, scientific, cultural and other areas of mutual interest, saying this would neutralise the impact of sanctions and further elevate the relationship.Modi and Pezeshkian last had a bilateral meeting on the margins of the Brics summit in Kazan in 2024. The meeting gave both leaders an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to expanding economic cooperation. Modi underlined India’s commitment to strengthening its 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.
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India will continue to support all efforts aimed at ensuring lasting peace,” said Modi in a post on X.According to an Iranian readout, Pezeshkian told Modi that despite efforts by the US and Israel to hamper Iran’s ties with other countries, Tehran was ready to expand cooperation with India across various fields.Modi also reiterated India’s readiness to cooperate closely with Iran in multilateral organisations, including Brics and SCO, and told Pezeshkian he was looking forward to welcoming him for the Brics Summit in India.“I am confident that your efforts will ultimately lead to positive results,” said PM Modi in the meeting, according to the Iranian readout.
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