Modi and Pezeshkian meet in Bishkek to discuss West Asia and bilateral ties

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met in Bishkek, using the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit to discuss bilateral relations and the conflict situation in West Asia.

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I 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.

The meeting marked the first encounter between the two leaders in two years. Modi said India wanted to strengthen its long-standing friendship with Iran across several sectors and expand and diversify trade. He also said India would support efforts to secure lasting peace in the region.

Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the talks fruitful. He said the leaders reviewed bilateral ties and recent regional developments. Modi reiterated India’s position that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, and stressed the need to protect freedom of navigation and commerce.

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India will continue to support all efforts aimed at ensuring lasting peace.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and other senior Iranian delegates attended the meeting. Modi and Pezeshkian had also spoken by telephone, when the Iranian president briefed the Indian prime minister on developments in West Asia and the path forward. They had previously discussed the region’s security situation on March 21.

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Fruitful meeting.

Modi was in Kyrgyzstan for the 26th SCO summit and the opening ceremony of the sixth World Nomad Games. During the visit, he also held talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on cooperation in defence, economic affairs, pharmaceuticals, science and technology, culture and education. Modi later visited the Mahatma Gandhi memorial in Bishkek and met members of the Indian community.

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All issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.