PM Modi meets Iranian President Pezeshkian in first face-to-face talks since Iran war began

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Monday. The meeting was held against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US and came as tensions in West Asia remained high.

It was the first in-person meeting between Modi and Pezeshkian since the war with Iran began in February.

India-Iran ties discussed

During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed the state of bilateral relations and stressed the need to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and other senior Iranian officials were also present.

The talks came as economic activity between India and Iran faces challenges due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and US sanctions against Tehran. India remains among Iran's top 10 trading partners.

Modi and Pezeshkian had last spoken by phone in June. During that conversation, Pezeshkian briefed Modi on developments in the Middle East. Modi had welcomed the understanding reached to end the conflict and stressed the importance of continued efforts towards lasting peace and stability.

Pezeshkian says Iran will respond

Earlier on Monday, Pezeshkian said Iran did not seek war but would "will respond decisively to aggressors." His remarks came after the US struck a small Iranian island, marking its first significant military action in the region in a month.

The Iranian president also said instability in West Asia was harmful to all countries and called for greater convergence on economic and security issues.

"This meeting is very important, and most of the leaders of the region will be present in it. In a situation where some international institutions are seeking to create a unified space in the world, this meeting is considered a symbol of the existence of diverse and independent voices in the global arena," he said.

Modi meets Armenia PM, Putin meeting expected

Modi also held talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Bishkek. The two discussed cooperation in defence, economic affairs, pharmaceuticals, science and technology, culture and education, besides exchanging views on regional and global developments, including West Asia.

Later, Modi is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and attend the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov.