Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Iran Asks Modi to Use India’s Reach to End War
Iran’s president met India’s prime minister in Kyrgyzstan.
He asked India to use its relationships with different countries to help stop the fighting in West Asia.
Iran said disagreements should be solved through talks instead of force.
Iran also criticized the United States for using military action.
India said it wants peace and believes countries should use dialogue and diplomacy.
Modi also said India wants to increase trade and cooperation with Iran.
The leaders discussed shipping and the safety of the Strait of Hormuz.
They agreed that civilians and commercial ships should not be harmed.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to use India’s regional contacts to help end bloodshed and restart dialogue.
The leaders met on 31 August on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Pezeshkian thanked India for supporting Iran and blamed the United States for choosing war and pressure over diplomacy.
Modi called for dialogue, diplomacy, lasting peace, freedom of navigation, and protection of civilians and commercial shipping.
India and Iran also discussed expanding trade and cooperation, including transport, maritime affairs, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
- Who
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- What
- Pezeshkian asked Modi to use India’s contacts to help move the parties away from war and back toward dialogue.
- When
- 31 August, according to one report; the meeting was described as occurring on Monday in the other reports.
- Where
- On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
- Why
- The appeal came amid escalating fighting involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, with both leaders discussing how to establish peace and security.
Iran’s Account
India’s Diplomatic Position
Responsibility for escalation
Iran’s Account
Iranian officials said the United States chose war, insecurity, and pressure instead of diplomatic mechanisms, and suggested some groups in the United States benefited from prolonged conflict.
India’s Diplomatic Position
India’s public position, as reported, focused on reducing tensions and resolving all issues through dialogue and diplomacy rather than assigning responsibility.
How the conflict should end
Iran’s Account
Iran said dialogue, negotiations, cooperation, and mobilizing peace-oriented actors were the path to ending insecurity and conflict.
India’s Diplomatic Position
India agreed that diplomatic efforts should be intensified and said lasting peace and security should be pursued.
Role of India
Iran’s Account
Iran urged India to use its historical ties and extensive contacts with parties across the region to bring them back to dialogue and agreement.
India’s Diplomatic Position
India said it would keep communication and cooperation channels open with Iran while working through multilateral organisations and supporting peace efforts.
- Meeting
- Masoud Pezeshkian and Narendra Modi held their first face-to-face meeting since the reported fighting began earlier this year.
- Location
- Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- Main Iranian request
- Iran asked India to use its extensive contacts with regional and international parties to encourage dialogue.
- India’s position
- India called for resolving all issues through dialogue and diplomacy and supported efforts toward lasting peace.
- Trade
- Modi said India wanted to expand and diversify its trade basket with Iran.
- Maritime concerns
- The leaders discussed transport, maritime affairs, the Strait of Hormuz, freedom of navigation, and commercial shipping.
- Related military developments
- Reports said the United States struck Iranian launchers on Larak Island, after which Iran launched missiles at a US military base in Jordan.
