PM Modi, Iran's Pezeshkian hold talks on BRICS sidelines, second meet in 2 weeks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that the conflict in West Asia must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy during their meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

PM Modi called for sustained efforts to restore peace and stability while safeguarding freedom of navigation and commerce and ensuring the safety of seafarers in the region.

The meeting came as escalating tensions between Iran and the United States pushed oil prices past $100 and raised fears of further disruption to global energy supplies.

It marked the second meeting between the two leaders in quick succession, following their brief interaction at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Bishkek earlier this month.

PM Modi thanked Iran for maintaining high-level participation



in BRICS meetings despite the conflict. He said the grouping could strengthen resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability across the Global South.

Following the talks with Pezeshkian, who was making his first visit to India, PM Modi said the two countries had agreed to pursue a long-term strategy based on mutual benefit.

Iran, meanwhile, hailed the historical friendship between the two countries as it shared a photograph of the leaders holding hands at the BRICS Business Summit. The image also underscored New Delhi’s continued diplomatic engagement with Tehran amid the escalating tensions.

The meeting held particular significance for India, which relies heavily on energy imports, has thousands of citizens working across West Asia and considers Iran’s Chabahar port a strategic gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia.