Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Modi Meets Iran's Pezeshkian on Trade, Peace and Shipping
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian.
They met during a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek.
The leaders talked about increasing trade between India and Iran.
They also discussed fighting and tensions in West Asia.
Both sides said dialogue and peaceful solutions were important.
Modi said ships, sailors and civilians should be protected.
Iran asked India to help reduce tensions by using its relationships with other countries.
The meeting took place while the United States was placing new sanctions on some businesses connected to Iran.
Modi also invited Pezeshkian to visit India for a BRICS meeting.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek.
The leaders discussed expanding and diversifying India-Iran trade despite international sanctions on Tehran.
They addressed tensions in West Asia and supported resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.
Modi stressed protecting freedom of navigation, civilians, commercial vessels and seafarers.
Modi invited Pezeshkian to India for the upcoming BRICS Summit and discussed cooperation through multilateral forums.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian; Modi also met Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan separately.
- What
- They discussed India-Iran trade, regional peace, maritime safety and cooperation through multilateral forums.
- When
- Monday, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit; the meeting occurred days after new United States sanctions on four Indian companies.
- Where
- Bishkek, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.
- Why
- To strengthen India-Iran cooperation, address West Asian tensions and discuss the safety of commercial shipping and seafarers.
India and Iran: Dialogue and Cooperation
United States: Pressure Through Sanctions
Approach to Iran
India and Iran: Dialogue and Cooperation
India and Iran emphasized continued cooperation, peaceful dialogue and diplomacy to reduce tensions in West Asia.
United States: Pressure Through Sanctions
The United States increased pressure on countries and companies conducting economic relations with Iran, warning of possible secondary sanctions.
Economic relations
India and Iran: Dialogue and Cooperation
India said it would continue upgrading cooperation with Tehran, while Iran said it was ready to expand cooperation despite international sanctions.
United States: Pressure Through Sanctions
Washington imposed sanctions on four Indian companies over suspected involvement in Iranian oil and petrochemical trade.
Regional role
India and Iran: Dialogue and Cooperation
Iran asked India to use its relationships with other countries to help ease tensions and return the region to dialogue.
United States: Pressure Through Sanctions
The article describes the United States as pursuing measures to restrict Tehran’s access to the international financial system.
- Meeting participants
- Narendra Modi and Masoud Pezeshkian
- Meeting venue
- Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek
- Trade focus
- Enhancing and diversifying trade between India and Iran
- Maritime concerns
- Freedom of navigation and protection of civilians, infrastructure, commercial vessels and seafarers
- Diplomatic invitation
- Modi invited Pezeshkian to India for the upcoming BRICS Summit
- U.S. sanctions
- The United States sanctioned four Indian companies over their suspected role in Iranian oil and petrochemical trade valued at $119 million
- Additional bilateral talks
- Modi and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan discussed defence, information technology, space, education and pharmaceuticals