India-Iran trade deal? Rubio says ‘don’t think’ New Delhi and Tehran are making one

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said he does not believe India and Iran are currently working on a trade deal, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Speaking on The Brian Kilmeade Show, Rubio was asked about the meeting and whether New Delhi and Tehran were discussing a trade arrangement.

“Well, I don’t think there’s a trade deal between India and Iran.” Rubio said countries have the right to frame their own foreign policies and pointed out that several nations continue to engage with the Iranian government.

“Obviously, there are, countries all develop their own foreign policy, and many countries around the world talk to the Iranian regime,” Rubio said.

Rubio warns against helping Iran evade sanctions

Rubio reiterated the Trump administration’s position that countries should not assist Iran in getting around US sanctions or help it establish revenue-generating channels.

“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.

“No country should be out there helping them create mechanisms by which they can generate revenue that they will then use to sponsor terrorism and try to build a nuclear weapon,” he added.

Rubio also warned that countries facilitating such mechanisms could face sanctions from Washington.

“And if countries decide to do that, then we’re going to have to sanction them too,” the US secretary of state said.

What Modi discussed with Pezeshkian

Following his meeting with Pezeshkian, Modi said India wanted to deepen its long-standing relationship with Iran and expand bilateral trade.

“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,” PM Modi said on X.

The Ministry of External Affairs described the meeting as “fruitful”, saying the two leaders reviewed bilateral ties and developments in West Asia.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Modi reiterated India's position that regional issues should be addressed through “dialogue and diplomacy”.

“Prime Minister also underlined the need for continued efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region and for safeguarding freedom of navigation and commerce,” Jaiswal said.

The leaders also discussed the safety of commercial shipping, seafarers and civilians amid the ongoing Gulf conflict. Modi said he looked forward to welcoming Pezeshkian to New Delhi for the BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13.