Bishkek: Amid escalating West Asia conflict, with a fragile ceasefire being a mere document and peace only on paper, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held high-level bilateral meetings with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Kyrgyzstan. The key focus of bilateral discussions wer e West Asia tensions, achieving peace, freedom of navigation, regional stability, security and strategic cooperation.
The meeting with Iran President Pezeshkian, is the first between the two leaders in two years. PM Modi reiterate India’s consistent call for resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy while stressing the need to safeguard freedom of navigation, security of commercial shipping and the safety of seafarers and civilians amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
Met President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek. Reiterated our commitment to strengthening India’s long standing friendship with Iran across diverse sectors. We want to expand and diversify our trade basket in the times to come.
We had a discussion on the prevailing situation in… pic.twitter.com/qagQy5o108
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 31, 2026
PM Modi, Pezeshkian discuss West Asia, trade and maritime security
During his meeting with the Iranian President, PM Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening its long-standing friendship with Iran and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors. “Met President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek. Reiterated our commitment to strengthening India’s long-standing friendship with Iran across diverse sectors”, PM Modi said in a post on X.
The Prime Minister also underlined India’s intention to expand and diversify its trade basket with Tehran. The two leaders reviewed recent developments in West Asia, with PM Modi reiterating India’s position that all outstanding issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the meeting as “fruitful” and said the discussions covered bilateral ties and developments in West Asia. “Prime Minister also underlined the need for continued efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region and for safeguarding freedom of navigation and commerce”, Jaiswal further added.
The emphasis on maritime security assumes significance amid repeated disruptions to commercial navigation and the strategic waterway emerging as a violent geopolitical theatre. India stressed that seafarers and civilians must remain protected and that the movement of commercial goods and energy should not be impeded.
Since, the outbreak of the West Asia conflict between US-Israel and Iran and the Strait of Hormuz being weaponised for geopolitics, numerous Indian commercial vessels, oil tankers and seafarers have been attacked, leading to many deaths. Thus, PM Modi during his talks with Iranian President yet again highlighted the importance of freedom of navigation & safety of seafarers.
Iran President expected in India for BRICS Summit
During the meeting, PM Modi also conveyed India’s readiness to work closely with Iran through multilateral platforms, including the SCO and BRICS. The Prime Minister looked forward to welcoming President Pezeshkian to India for the BRICS Summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 12-13.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and other senior Iranian officials were also present during the bilateral engagement. The meeting builds on the regular communication between the two leaders. Modi and Pezeshkian had earlier spoken on March 21, when the Iranian President briefed the Indian Prime Minister about developments in West Asia and the regional security situation.
India has consistently emphasised the safety and well-being of Indian nationals in the region, while also highlighting the importance of uninterrupted transit of energy and goods in the maritime chokepoint.
PM Modi and Prime Minister Pashinyan hold talks to deepen India-Armenia strategic partnership
Earlier in the day, PM Modi met Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, with the two leaders discussing ways to expand bilateral cooperation across several strategic and economic sectors. The two leaders discussed cooperation in defence, economic affairs, pharmaceuticals, mining, education, culture, science and technology, IT and space.
The meeting marked their first face-to-face interaction following Pashinyan’s reappointment after Armenia’s parliamentary elections in June. PM Modi congratulated his Armenian counterpart on his electoral victory and assumption of office.
The discussions also covered regional and global developments, including the situation in West Asia. Pashinyan briefed Modi on the implementation status of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Agreement and broader developments affecting the Eurasian region.
A wonderful meeting with Prime Minister of Armenia, Mr. Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek.
India-Armenia cooperation is all set to grow in defence, IT, space, education, pharmaceuticals and more.
We are equally certain to deepen trade and… pic.twitter.com/y2W7ToY5GB
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 31, 2026
The MEA said the two sides expressed satisfaction over the expansion of bilateral cooperation in recent times and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen ties marked by “special warmth and friendship”.
Following the meeting, PM Modi described the engagement with Armenia PM Pashinyan also expressed confidence that trade and investment linkages between the two countries would deepen in the coming years. The growing defence and technology partnership between New Delhi and Yerevan has emerged as an important component of bilateral relations, alongside cooperation in pharmaceuticals, mining, education and space.
PM Modi pays tribute to Gandhi, Engages with Indian community in Bishkek
Apart from his bilateral engagements, PM Modi visited the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi in Bishkek and paid homage. The statue was unveiled during Modi’s visit to Kyrgyzstan in 2015. “In Bishkek this morning, paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue in the city. Gandhi Ji’s thoughts will always have an unparalleled impact on our minds,” Modi posted on X.
In Bishkek this morning, paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue in the city.
Gandhi Ji’s thoughts will always have an unparalleled impact on our minds. pic.twitter.com/IwX3KU7JrT
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 31, 2026
The Prime Minister also interacted with members of communities closely associated with India, including Yoga practitioners, academics, ITEC alumni, researchers and members of the Indian diaspora. He highlighted the continuing people-to-people connect between India and Kyrgyzstan, noting that one of the Yoga practitioners he met had participated in the World Yogasana Championship in Ahmedabad and won a medal.
Met a group of people who have a close association with India.
This includes prominent diaspora members, those passionate about the environment, Yoga enthusiasts, academics, ITEC alumni, researchers and more.
Happy to see such continuous engagement with India.
One of the… pic.twitter.com/xiwRCoFBE9
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 31, 2026
PM Modi is in Bishkek to attend the 26th SCO Summit and the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games. He is also scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and participate in other bilateral engagements during his visit.
