Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) leaders’ summit. This was their first meeting since the escalation of conflict in West Asia began in February. Modi expressed his concern regarding the rising tensions in the region and reiterated the importance of resolving issues through dialogue and diplomacy.
Context of the Meeting
The meeting comes amid renewed hostilities between the US and Iran, following a fragile ceasefire. On Sunday, US forces targeted two Iranian launchers on Larak Island, prompting Iran to retaliate by attacking US bases in Jordan. In light of these developments, Pezeshkian urged Modi to leverage India’s extensive contacts to help de-escalate the situation and return to dialogue.
Key Discussions
During their discussions, Modi highlighted:
- The need for continued cooperation and communication between India and Iran.
- The importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and commerce, emphasizing that civilians and civilian infrastructure must not be harmed.
