Bishkek. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed concern over rising tensions in West Asia and reiterated India's stand that all issues should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. PM Modi, who went to Kyrgyzstan to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, said this during a bilateral meeting with Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezheshkian in the capital Bishkek on Monday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that India wants to “expand and diversify” the scope of trade with Iran in the times to come and will continue to support all efforts to ensure lasting peace in West Asia. PM Modi spoke with Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
Statement issued after the meeting
The Prime Minister said on social media, “Met with President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek. Reiterated our resolve to further strengthen India's long-standing friendship with Iran in various fields.
He said, “We want to expand and diversify the scope of bilateral trade in the times to come. We discussed the current situation in the area. India will continue to support all efforts aimed at ensuring lasting peace.
The meeting of the two leaders took place on the sidelines of the SCO meeting.
The Foreign Ministry said that in the meeting held on the sidelines of the SCO conference, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations. They shared their respective perspectives on recent developments and the changing situation in the West Asia conflict. Mr Modi expressed concern over rising tensions in the region and reiterated India's consistent stand that all issues should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
PM Modi's words
Met with President Massoud Pezheshkian in Bishkek. Reiterated its commitment to strengthen India's long-term friendship with Iran in various fields. They stressed the importance of expanding and diversifying the scope of trade and discussed the current situation in the region. India will continue to support all efforts aimed at ensuring lasting peace.”
The Prime Minister also reiterated the need for sustained efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region. Calling for the protection of freedom of navigation and commerce, he stressed that civilians and civil infrastructure, including commercial shipping and seafarers, should not be harmed under any circumstances.
Why is the meeting of the two leaders important?
Modi also held a separate bilateral meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Prime Minister Modi said, “I had an excellent meeting with Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan during the SCO summit in Bishkek.” He said, “Cooperation between India and Armenia is going to increase in defence, information technology, space, education, pharmaceuticals and other sectors. We are confident that trade and investment relations will become stronger in the times to come.
Invited for BRICS
Reiterating India's readiness for closer cooperation with Iran in multilateral organizations including BRICS and SCO, the Prime Minister said that we look forward to welcoming President Pezeshkian to India for the BRICS Summit.