G20 finance talks open as US seeks to ramp up pressure on Iran

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the SCO summit in Bishkek, seeking assistance to halt the ongoing war in the region. During their first formal bilateral meeting in over two years, both leaders emphasized the importance of freedom of navigation and commerce, while firmly rejecting any harm to civilians or civilian infrastructure, including commercial shipping and seafarers.

Despite the looming threat of US sanctions, Modi and Pezeshkian agreed to bolster their trade relations.

The two leaders discussed the volatile situation in West Asia, including the Strait of Hormuz and Chabahar port cooperation. Pezeshkian expressed his concern over the escalating tensions and reiterated the significance of resolving all issues through dialogue and diplomacy, with the ultimate goal of achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.

Pezeshkian appealed to Modi to leverage India's extensive network to dissuade involved parties from pursuing a path of bloodshed and war. He also called for a broader expansion of bilateral cooperation across political, economic, scientific, cultural, and other sectors of mutual interest, arguing that such efforts would mitigate the impact of sanctions and strengthen the relationship between the two nations.

The Indian Prime Minister acknowledged Pezeshkian's viewpoint on the presence of groups that benefit from the continuation of war. Modi expressed his confidence in Pezeshkian's ability to play an effective role in advancing peace and expressed his belief that peace and security would ultimately prevail. The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to expanding economic cooperation, with Modi underscoring India's dedication to strengthening their long-standing "friendship" across various sectors.

Looking ahead, Modi expressed his interest in welcoming Pezeshkian for the BRICS Summit in India, emphasizing the historical and cultural ties between Iran and India as a valuable foundation for further cooperation. The discussions covered crucial topics such as transportation and maritime affairs, developments related to the Strait of Hormuz, and progress in Chabahar port cooperation.