Modi, Pezeshkian Hold First Face-to-Face Talks Since Iran Crisis
PM Modi and Iran's President Pezeshkian met at the SCO summit in Bishkek, reviewing bilateral ties and West Asia developments.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The meeting marked their first in-person interaction since the February 2026 attack on Iran by Israel and the United States, which resulted in the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two leaders discussed various aspects of bilateral ties and reviewed recent developments in the West Asia region. The Prime Minister reiterated India's consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
The MEA further stated that Modi underlined the need for continued efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region, and for safeguarding freedom of navigation and commerce. This comes amid India's growing concerns over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint.
The two leaders have previously spoken over the phone, including a conversation on June 30 ahead of Khamenei's funeral on July 3, and another on March 21 where Modi urged Pezeshkian to ensure freedom of navigation.
Modi is in Kyrgyzstan at the invitation of President Sadyr Zhaparov to attend the 26th SCO Summit, which runs from August 31 to September 1. The 10-member organisation is marking its 25th anniversary this year. Founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the SCO expanded to include India and Pakistan in 2017, followed by Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024.
On the sidelines of the summit, Modi is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with other SCO leaders, including Kyrgyz President Zhaparov and Russian President Vladimir Putin.