Prime Minister Modi Meets Iranian President Pezeshkian at SCO Summit to Discuss Trade Expansion and West Asia Peace

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, marking the first in-person meeting between the two leaders in two years. During their discussions, both leaders reviewed the overall progress of bilateral relations and agreed on the necessity to expand and diversify the mutual trade basket across diverse economic sectors in the coming years.

The two leaders discussed the volatile security situation and ongoing military escalations in the West Asia region. Prime Minister Modi expressed serious concern over the conflict and reiterated India's consistent stand that all international disputes must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy rather than armed conflict. He stressed that civilian populations and commercial shipping routes must be protected under all circumstances, highlighting the urgent need to maintain the freedom of navigation and maritime commerce while ensuring the safety of seafarers in regional waters.

The high-level talks, attended by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and senior diplomatic delegations, also focused on joint cooperation within multilateral platforms like the SCO and BRICS. Prime Minister Modi affirmed that India will continue to support all diplomatic efforts aimed at establishing lasting peace and stability in West Asia, and conveyed that he looks forward to welcoming President Pezeshkian to India for the upcoming BRICS Summit in New Delhi.