Modi talks to Iran’s Pezeshkian, backs West Asia peace and freedom of navigation

New Delhi: The prime minister, Narendra Modi, on Tuesday held a telephone conversation with the Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, to discuss the latest developments in West Asia. The call came days before the state funeral of the late Iranian supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.

According to the Indian government, Pezeshkian briefed Modi on the latest developments in the region and shared Iran’s assessment of the current situation. The two leaders also discussed the way forward amid ongoing diplomatic engagement in West Asia.

Following the call, Modi said in a post on X that he had discussed recent developments in West Asia with Pezeshkian. He welcomed the progress made in the ongoing negotiations and expressed hope that continued diplomatic efforts would help secure lasting peace in the region. The prime minister also stressed the need for freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that it is critical for India and global commerce.

shipping routes and the safety of the large Indian community living across Gulf countries.

The Iranian president’s office said Pezeshkian thanked India for hosting the recent BRICS energy ministers’ meeting and expressed hope for deeper cooperation within the grouping. According to the Iranian readout, Modi also invited Pezeshkian to attend the upcoming BRICS Leaders’ Summit in India.

The phone call comes days before the state funeral of late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli-US attack on Iran during the recent conflict. As RNA Media reported earlier, India will send the minister of state for external affairs, Pabitra Margherita, and the governor of Bihar, Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retired), to represent the government at the ceremony in Tehran.

Separately, Iran has also invited political leaders from both India’s ruling and opposition parties to attend the state funeral. Invitations have been extended to BJP president Nitin Nabin, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress foreign affairs department chair Salman Khurshid, reflecting Tehran’s outreach across India’s political spectrum.