PM Modi Meets Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian In Kyrgyzstan - NDTV

**Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek**

*Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan –* On the sidelines of the 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in the Kyrgyz capital. The two leaders, accompanied by senior officials from their foreign ministries, exchanged remarks on the evolving regional security environment and the importance of deepening economic cooperation. Modi welcomed Iran’s participation in the SCO, noting that “the organization’s consensus‑based approach offers a constructive platform for dialogue on issues that affect the entire Eurasian region.”

The agenda of the talks covered a range of topics, including the stabilization of Afghanistan, energy connectivity, and the revival of trade routes linking South and Central Asia. Both sides expressed willingness to expand the existing India‑Iran strategic partnership, which already encompasses a $10 billion pipeline project and cooperation in pharmaceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and information technology. Pezeshkian emphasized Tehran’s intention to comply with international nuclear commitments and to seek relief from sanctions that have hampered its economy, urging India’s support in multilateral forums. In response, Modi reiterated India’s “principled stance” of engaging with all nations while upholding non‑proliferation norms.

The meeting also carried broader geopolitical significance. By engaging Tehran alongside other SCO members such as China, Russia, and Central Asian republics, India underscored its role as a bridge between the West‑aligned and Eurasian blocs. Observers noted that the timing of the dialogue—just hours before President Vladimir Putin’s scheduled meeting with Modi—highlights New Delhi’s effort to balance its strategic interests with Moscow, Beijing, and Tehran amid heightened tensions over regional security and energy markets. The discussions are expected to translate into concrete initiatives, including a feasibility study for a direct rail link and a memorandum of understanding on joint research in renewable energy.

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