PM Modi meets Iran’s president in Bishkek, discusses West Asia situation and freedom of navigation

New Delhi: The prime minister, Narendra Modi, met the Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, in Kyrgyzstan’s Bishkek on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, on Monday. The two leaders discussed the situation in West Asia, bilateral ties and ways to expand and diversify India-Iran trade, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

As reported earlier, Modi arrived in Bishkek on Sunday to attend the 26th SCO summit at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, following a state visit to Uzbekistan. 

Pezeshkian travelled to Kyrgyzstan for the SCO summit and the SCO Plus meeting. Iranian state media reported that he was also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the Pakistani prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, and the presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.

Modi confirmed the meeting in a post on X, saying “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.” He added “We had a discussion on the prevailing situation in the region. India will continue to support all efforts aimed at ensuring lasting peace.”

The MEA said the two leaders discussed various aspects of bilateral ties and reviewed recent developments in the West Asia region. Modi also reiterated India’s consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. The ministry added that he underlined the need for continued efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region, and for safeguarding freedom of navigation and commerce.

Monday’s meeting was the first in-person interaction between Modi and Pezeshkian since the US and Israel launched their war on Iran in late February. The two leaders have remained in contact by phone during the conflict. Modi spoke to Pezeshkian on June 30, ahead of the funeral of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and earlier on March 21, when the Iranian president briefed him on developments in Iran and the region.

During the March conversation, Modi had stressed the importance of “freedom of navigation” and raised India’s concerns over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. He had also emphasised the safety of Indian nationals in Iran and the need for the uninterrupted movement of energy and goods.

The Bishkek meeting came hours after the US and Iran exchanged fresh strikes amid tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. Washington said the strikes targeted Iranian military rocket launchers as part of efforts to prevent Tehran from laying sea mines in the waterway. Iran subsequently targeted US military positions in the region.

Before leaving Tehran for Bishkek, Pezeshkian said Iran was not seeking war but would respond with strength and determination to any aggression. He also said instability in the region was harmful to all countries and called for greater cooperation on economic and security issues.

The meeting took place as the SCO marks 25 years since its founding. The grouping has 10 members: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran and Belarus. 

It was founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became full members in 2017, followed by Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024.

Modi is expected to hold further bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit, including with the Kyrgyz president, Zhaparov, and the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.