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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are set to hold their first face-to-face bilateral meeting since the devastating war broke out in West Asia earlier this year.
The meeting will take place on Monday (August 31) on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
The two leaders last met in person in October 2024 on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, shortly after Pezeshkian assumed office.
Since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, Modi and Pezeshkian have spoken by phone several times. Their discussions focused mainly on de-escalation, the protection of civilians, freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and India’s energy security.
Officials said the meeting is expected to review all aspects of bilateral ties, with energy supplies, trade and regional connectivity likely to be key issues.
Modi is also expected to reiterate India’s longstanding position on the conflict and emphasise resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.
New Delhi has consistently called for a ceasefire, protection of civilians, uninterrupted movement of goods and energy, and the safety of Indian citizens in the region.
Pezeshkian, meanwhile, has been calling for a greater role for multilateral groupings such as the SCO and BRICS in addressing the crisis.
The two-day SCO summit, marking the organisation’s 25th anniversary, is being hosted by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are among the leaders attending the summit.
Pezeshkian is also expected to visit New Delhi in the coming days to attend the BRICS summit.
