With Trump listening in, Iran urges PM Modi to end war with US

BISHKEK: In the leafy green capital of the Kyrgyz Republic, the leaders of India and Iran jointly called for keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, with the Iranian leader urging PM Modi to dissuade the US from war and bloodshed and return to the path of dialogue and agreement.

The two leaders also discussed ways to expand trade and investment in the shadow of the prolonged US-Iran economic warfare.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held talks for around 40 minutes on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek. The big takeaway from the talks was mutual support for resolving all issues through dialogue and diplomacy amid the Trump administration’s imposition of new sanctions on Iran and its business partners.

The two leaders discussed the recent developments in the West Asia conflict and shared perspectives on the evolving situation. PM Modi 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, said a read-out by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

“We had a discussion on the prevailing situation in the region. India will continue to support all efforts aimed at ensuring lasting peace,” said PM Modi on X after the meeting.

“I agree with you that there are those who see their interests in war, but we must intensify our efforts to establish peace. My belief and conviction is that, ultimately, peace and security will prevail,” the Iranian statement quoted Modi as telling the Iranian leader.

Alluding to India’s important position and capacities in the region and the world, as well as deep historical and cultural ties, the Iranian leader asked 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,” said the Iranian statement.

Safeguarding the freedom of navigation and commerce figured prominently in discussions between the two leaders. PM Modi stressed that civilians and civilian infrastructure, including commercial shipping and seafarers must not be harmed under any circumstances.

“In so far as using or bringing our efforts to bear in so far as the conflict in the Gulf is concerned. Yes, President Pezeshkian in fact thanked India for our support to the various efforts that are out there to foster peace. And he made the point that you know the continuation of the war is in no one’s interest and its prolongation doesn’t really benefit anybody,” India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told journalists after the meeting.

“Given the fact that India has close ties, civilizational, cultural, people to people ties with Iran, that India also had a role in supporting efforts towards peace. And Prime Minister mentioned to him that we have added our voice wherever feasible to efforts to end the conflict.”

What came across from the talks was a sincere intention by the two leaders to expand economic relations despite the US’ relentless pressure to downgrade ties. “We want to expand and diversify our trade basket in the times to come,” said PM Modi on X.

Cooperation in the fields of transportation and maritime affairs, developments related to the Strait of Hormuz, and the progress of cooperation at Chabahar Port were among the most important issues discussed by the two sides, said the Iranian statement.

Foreign Secretary Misri, when asked about India’s plans to expand trade with Iran, admitted that the US’ sanctions have constrained economic ties, and stressed that trade is essentially conducted between private parties who have to navigate the international trading and financial environment subject to the various forces that are out there that impact these trading contacts.

“Wherever there is an opportunity for them to look at new possibilities, we can only hope that that is feasible. The private parties that are conducting this trade have to look at the finance, the insurance, the transport, the logistics etc. but within those limitations and within those constraints that they face, if there are other possibilities then they will explore them,” he said.

The meeting between PM Modi and the Iranian leader is being tracked closely by the Trump administration amid the deadlock in the US-Iran conflict.

The Modi-Pezeshkian meeting in Bishkek took place amid intensified efforts by mediators Oman, Pakistan and Qatar to advance negotiations to bring the war to an end.