Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek on August 31, 2026, on the sidelines of the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. The talks come as India continues to engage closely with Iran on bilateral priorities as well as major developments affecting the wider region.
The discussions covered the state of India-Iran relations and the rapidly evolving situation in West Asia. Prime Minister Modi expressed concern over the escalation of tensions and reiterated New Delhi’s position that disputes should be addressed through dialogue and diplomatic efforts rather than further confrontation. India also stressed the importance of sustained international efforts to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Regional maritime security was another significant element of India’s position during the meeting. Modi emphasised the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation and uninterrupted commerce. He also underlined that civilians, civilian infrastructure, commercial vessels and seafarers must remain protected and should not be subjected to attacks.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for both sides to reinforce their engagement through multilateral institutions. India conveyed its readiness to cooperate with Iran through organisations such as the SCO and BRICS, where both countries participate in discussions on regional and global issues. Modi also expressed his expectation of welcoming President Pezeshkian to India for the forthcoming BRICS Summit.
Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with the Iranian president took place during his visit to Kyrgyzstan for the SCO summit, being held in Bishkek from August 31 to September 1, 2026. The summit marks 25 years of the SCO, while India has been a full member of the organisation since 2017. The Indian government has identified security, connectivity and opportunity as key priorities for its participation at the summit.
The latest engagement underscores the importance India attaches to maintaining communication with Iran at a time when instability in West Asia could have wider consequences for regional security, maritime movement and international trade. The discussions between Modi and Pezeshkian also reaffirm India’s preference for diplomatic engagement and peaceful resolution of regional disputes.
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