Iranian President Pezeshkian Urges India to Facilitate Regional Peace Amid Rising Tensions

BISHKEK – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called upon India to leverage its significant global influence to de-escalate ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, emphasizing that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable paths to regional stability.

The appeal came during a bilateral meeting between President Pezeshkian and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and Shanghai Plus summits held in Kyrgyzstan. The discussion centered on balancing regional security concerns with a mutual desire to deepen the strategic partnership between Tehran and New Delhi.

A Call for Diplomatic Intervention

During the meeting, President Pezeshkian lauded India’s historical and cultural ties with Iran, urging Prime Minister Modi to engage with various stakeholders to help steer the region away from “war and bloodshed.”

“Reason and logic dictate that we should avoid war and warmongering,” Pezeshkian stated, noting that while his administration is committed to resolving disputes through negotiation, other international actors—specifically the United States—have opted for coercion and conflict. He further remarked that certain factions within the U.S. appear to benefit from the continuation of instability, warning that such an approach serves neither the region nor the broader interests of humanity.

In his response, Prime Minister Modi expressed appreciation for the Iranian leader’s vision, acknowledging him as a peace-oriented statesman. Modi echoed the concern that certain groups profit from protracted conflict and reaffirmed India’s commitment to collaborating with Iran to promote a return to peace and stability.

Strategic Cooperation and the Chabahar Port

Beyond security, the two leaders focused on strengthening bilateral economic ties. Despite the restrictive impact of international sanctions, both nations expressed a firm resolve to expand cooperation in political, scientific, and cultural sectors.

A focal point of the economic discussion was the development of the Chabahar port, a strategic maritime hub that serves as a vital transit point for trade between India, Iran, and Central Asia. The leaders discussed enhancing maritime transport and optimizing existing infrastructure to counteract the effects of external pressures, signaling a unified front in maintaining trade connectivity despite geopolitical hurdles.

Commitment to Obligations

President Pezeshkian took the opportunity to highlight Iran’s adherence to its international commitments, contrasting this with what he described as a failure by the United States to fulfill its own obligations. He stressed that even under the current climate, Tehran remains open to a “mutual understanding” and constructive engagement.

“We believe that the solution to the existing problems is dialogue and cooperation,” Pezeshkian concluded.

As the summit concluded, both leaders pledged to utilize the full potential of their bilateral relationship to foster economic growth and regional security, setting the stage for what officials described as a strengthened strategic partnership between the two nations.