Iran has described its relationship with India as “very good” and said it attaches “great importance” to ties with New Delhi, days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei made the remarks on Monday while referring to Pezeshkian's meeting with Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Kyrgyzstan.
Baghaei said the relationship between the two countries is rooted in shared history and civilisation, while also highlighting cooperation in trade and economic affairs.
“Our relationship with India is a long-standing, historic and civilisational relationship, and we attach great importance to our ties with India,” he said.
He added that India is among the countries with which Iran has good relations in several areas, particularly trade and economic cooperation.
Chabahar among key areas of cooperation
Baghaei also highlighted the importance of Chabahar Port in discussions between India and Iran.
“Various issues are usually discussed during consultations between Iran and India, including the Chabahar Port, which is important to both countries,” he said.
The Iranian spokesperson noted that India is a member of both the SCO and BRICS, giving the two countries additional platforms for engagement.
With India set to host the upcoming BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Tehran is looking to use the gathering to continue talks with New Delhi.
“We will certainly make use of the opportunity provided by the BRICS Summit to continue our discussions and consultations with India in areas of mutual interest,” Baghaei said.
He described the overall relationship between the two countries as “very good” and said it “continues to develop”.
What Modi and Pezeshkian discussed
Modi and Pezeshkian met in Bishkek on August 31. Following the meeting, Modi said the two sides discussed bilateral ties and ways to expand and diversify trade. They also discussed the situation in the region, with India reiterating its support for efforts aimed at securing lasting peace.
The meeting came amid continuing instability in West Asia and growing international attention on India's engagement with Tehran.
US reacts to India-Iran engagement
The Modi-Pezeshkian meeting also drew attention from Washington. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he did not believe India and Iran were working towards a trade deal.
“Well, I don’t think there’s a trade deal between India and Iran. Obviously, there are—countries all develop their own foreign policy, and many countries around the world talk to the Iranian regime. I think what ultimately happens, though, is—and the President (Donald Trump) has been very clear—is no country should be helping Iran evade sanctions,” Rubio said.
His remarks came as the US continued to warn countries against helping Tehran circumvent American sanctions.