PM Narendra Modi may have a bilateral meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan Monday, official sources said. While Modi landed in Bishkek Sunday, the president was scheduled to arrive Monday morning, according to reports from Tehran.Sources said efforts were on to schedule a meeting between the leaders Monday. This would be the first in-person meeting between Modi and Pezeshkian since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran on Feb 28.The two, in fact, had last met on the margins of the Brics summit in Russia’s Kazan in 2024. However, both have spoken with each other on several occasions, including after the West Asia conflict erupted, with Modi stressing the India remains a friend of Iran. Pezeshkian is also likely to visit India for the Brics summit next month.If it happens, the meeting will see Modi reiterate India’s position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. He’s also expected to highlight India’s focus on ensuring the safety and well being of Indian nationals in the region, along with the importance of unhindered transit of energy and goods. The two will also discuss trade, energy and connectivity ties that have come under strain because of the expiry of US sanctions waiver for the Chabahar port.
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In a difficult balancing act, India has continued to maintain high-level engagement with Iran while repeatedly expressing solidarity with GCC States that came under attack from Tehran for hosting US bases. However, Tehran also expects India to call out the US and Israel for their Feb 28 strikes at the Brics forum, which is currently helmed by India. With the UAE also in the group, the challenge for India would be to forge a consensus on the West Asia situation that would allow a Brics declaration to be issued.
