Iran's Pezeshkian Meets Modi in Delhi, Says Tehran Won't Be Bullied

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday on the margins of the BRICS Summit, with the two leaders reviewing bilateral ties and regional developments.

Addressing religious leaders, intellectuals and business figures later in the day, Pezeshkian said his discussions with Modi had been productive and expressed hope they would open the way to closer cooperation in culture, technology, trade, science and the economy. He thanked the Indian government and the prime minister for their hospitality.

The Iranian president used the occasion to sharply criticise the United States and Israel over the war that began in February this year, saying Tehran had withstood pressure from both and would not submit. He accused them of bullying Iran and of acting against human values, alleging attacks on schools, hospitals and scientists, and said Iran would push back if pushed.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, Modi thanked Iran for its regular, high-level participation in BRICS-related meetings despite difficult circumstances. He pointed to the grouping's potential to foster resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability among countries of the Global South, and thanked Pezeshkian for attending the Leaders' Session of the BRICS Business Forum.

The two sides exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia. Modi reiterated India's position that all issues should be settled through dialogue and diplomacy, and stressed the need for sustained efforts to secure lasting peace and stability in the region, protect freedom of navigation and commerce, and ensure the safety of seafarers. He also welcomed continued India-Iran cooperation in multilateral forums, including BRICS.

This was the second meeting between the two leaders in under a fortnight. They had earlier met on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek on August 31. Pezeshkian arrived in Delhi earlier on Friday for the BRICS Summit.