Modi tells Iran India backs peace efforts amid West Asia conflict

Bishkek,UPDATED: Aug 31, 2026 21:40 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that India supports all efforts to end the conflict in West Asia, as the two leaders held their first bilateral talks since the outbreak of the Iran-US conflict in February. Modi also stressed the importance of freedom of navigation and the need to protect civilians and civil infrastructure in the region.

During the meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Modi said India wanted to "expand and diversify" its trade basket with Iran in the coming years. He also reiterated India's readiness to work closely with Iran in multilateral forums, including BRICS and the SCO. Separately, Modi held a bilateral meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and said cooperation with Armenia was set to grow across several sectors.

After the meeting with Pezeshkian, Modi said on social media, "Met President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek. Reiterated our commitment to strengthening India's long standing friendship with Iran across diverse sectors." He added, "We want to expand and diversify our trade basket in the times to come. We had a discussion on the prevailing situation in the region. India will continue to support all efforts aimed at ensuring lasting peace."

The Ministry of External Affairs said the two leaders discussed the West Asia conflict and shared their views on the evolving situation. "The prime minister expressed concern at the escalation of tensions in the region and reiterated India's consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy," it said. Modi also repeated the need for continued efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability. "Calling for safeguarding the freedom of navigation and commerce, he emphasised that civilians and civilian infrastructure, including commercial shipping and seafarers must not be harmed under any circumstances," the MEA said. It added that Modi looked forward to welcoming Pezeshkian to India for the BRICS Summit.

According to an Iranian readout, Pezeshkian expressed "appreciation" for New Delhi's support and cooperation with Iran during the recent war and called for stronger diplomatic efforts to restore peace and security in the region. "From the very beginning of our administration, our efforts have been focused on ensuring peace and security and resolving issues through dialogue and negotiations," he said. "Unfortunately, instead of making use of diplomatic mechanisms, the Americans have chosen the path of war, insecurity and imposing their will through force." He added, "Our responsibility requires us to protect our people from danger and insecurity and to create the conditions necessary for them to achieve peace, tranquility and security."

The Iranian president referred to India's position and capacities in the region and the world, as well as the historical and cultural ties between the two countries. He urged Modi to use India's extensive contacts with various parties to help them "move away from the path of war and bloodshed and return to the path of dialogue and agreement". Referring to understandings between the parties to the conflict, Pezeshkian said Iran remained committed to the "obligations" it had undertaken under the agreements, but the US had "failed to fulfill its commitments". He said the "continuation of war is in the interest neither of us, nor of the region, nor of humanity", and added, "We believe that the solution to the issues we face lies in dialogue and cooperation, and that all available capacities must be mobilised to prevent the spread of insecurity and conflict."

Modi also met Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of the summit. The prime minister said, "A wonderful meeting with Prime Minister of Armenia, Mr. Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek." He added, "India-Armenia cooperation is all set to grow in defence, IT, space, education, pharmaceuticals and more. We are equally certain to deepen trade and investment linkages in the times to come."

The meetings in Bishkek saw Modi underline India's push for dialogue, diplomacy and peace in West Asia, while also signalling a wider effort to deepen India's ties with Iran and Armenia in trade and other sectors.

With PTI Inputs

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