Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Iranian President Bashar al-Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Moscow, addressing the escalating conflict in West Asia and exploring avenues to expand trade between the two countries. The encounter came against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions and followed the US Treasury Department’s announcement of new sanctions targeting Iran’s economy.
The meeting between the two leaders took place at a moment of acute volatility in West Asia, where hostilities involving Israel, Iran, and associated actors have disrupted energy markets, strained diplomatic channels, and raised fears of a broader regional conflagration. Both Modi and Pezeshkian used the platform to call for dialogue and de-escalation, signalling India’s continued diplomatic engagement with Tehran even as Western powers tighten pressure on the Islamic Republic.
What Happened
The Modi-Pezeshkian meeting occurred during the SCO summit held in Moscow, which brought together leaders from 13 member states to discuss regional stability, energy security, and economic collaboration. The two leaders reviewed ongoing developments in West Asia and examined opportunities to deepen economic cooperation, with Modi highlighting India’s intention to diversify and expand trade partnerships across the region.
The discussions between the two heads of state covered the spectrum of bilateral concerns, with security and trade forming the twin pillars of the conversation. Both sides underscored the importance of maintaining open channels of communication at a time when military posturing and retaliatory strikes have characterised relations between Iran and Israel. The meeting also provided an opportunity to assess the state of bilateral trade, which has historically been shaped by energy supplies, infrastructure projects, and connectivity arrangements.
India’s engagement with Iran at the SCO summit forms part of a broader pattern of diplomatic outreach that New Delhi has maintained with countries across West Asia. The Modi government has sought to balance its relationships with regional powers, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, while preserving its strategic ties with Tehran. This balancing act has become more complex as the conflict in West Asia has intensified and as the United States has applied additional sanctions on Iran’s oil exports and financial networks.
Why It Matters
The meeting carries significance for several reasons. First, it demonstrates India’s willingness to sustain direct dialogue with Iran despite the diplomatic costs associated with US sanctions. India, which hosts one of the world’s largest Shia Muslim populations, has a longstanding interest in the stability of its western neighbour and in ensuring the free flow of energy through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
Second, the encounter highlights the role of multilateral forums like the SCO in facilitating diplomatic contact at a time when bilateral channels between other regional actors may be constrained. The SCO, which includes China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, and several Central Asian states, has increasingly served as a venue for leaders to discuss security and economic issues outside the frameworks dominated by Western powers.
Third, the timing of the meeting, coming shortly after the US Treasury’s sanctions announcement, sends a signal about India’s independent foreign policy posture. New Delhi has historically maintained that its energy and trade decisions are driven by national interest rather than external pressure, and the engagement with Pezeshkian reinforces that position.
Analysis: India’s diplomatic outreach to Iran during a period of active conflict in West Asia reflects a calculated effort to preserve strategic options. By maintaining relations with Tehran, India retains influence over developments that directly affect its energy security and the safety of shipping routes that carry a significant portion of its crude oil imports. At the same time, the engagement allows New Delhi to position itself as a constructive voice in regional affairs, potentially enhancing its standing as a mediator or facilitator in future peace efforts.
Background and Context
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, with India, Pakistan, and Iran joining in subsequent years. The bloc has expanded its membership and agenda over time, evolving from a security-focused grouping centred on border disputes and counter-terrorism into a broader platform for economic and political cooperation.
Iran’s participation in the SCO gained particular significance after Tehran formally became a full member. The organisation’s framework provides Iran with a diplomatic counterweight to Western isolation and offers member states a channel for engagement that does not require alignment with US policy positions. For India, the SCO has been a valuable mechanism for coordinating with Russia and China on regional security matters while also pursuing its own bilateral interests with fellow members.
India-Iran relations have deep historical roots, spanning trade, culture, and energy. Iran was once one of India’s top oil suppliers, and the two countries collaborated on the Chabahar Port project in southeastern Iran, which provides India with a strategic gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia bypassing Pakistan. While US sanctions have significantly reduced Indian oil imports from Iran in recent years, the Chabahar project has continued, reflecting the resilience of the bilateral relationship.
The current West Asia conflict has introduced new complexities into India’s foreign policy calculations. The escalation between Israel and Iran, including reciprocal military strikes, has placed countries with ties to both sides in a difficult position. India’s relationship with Israel has deepened considerably under the Modi government, with defence and technology cooperation expanding substantially. At the same time, India’s energy needs and its large Shia population create compelling reasons to maintain stable relations with Iran.
Analysis: The Modi-Pezeshkian meeting illustrates the difficulty and necessity of maintaining multiple relationships in a fragmented region. India cannot afford to be seen as aligned exclusively with any one camp in the West Asia conflict without risking damage to its broader strategic interests. The SCO summit provided a neutral setting where this balancing act could be conducted with minimal political friction.
What to Watch Next
Several developments will determine the trajectory of India-Iran relations in the coming months. First, the extent to which the two countries can translate diplomatic commitments into tangible trade agreements will be a key indicator. Sanctions compliance remains a significant constraint, and any expansion of bilateral commerce will need to navigate the complex web of US restrictions.
Second, the evolution of the West Asia conflict itself will shape the context for future India-Iran engagement. A de-escalation could open the door to more ambitious cooperation on energy and infrastructure, while further escalation could force New Delhi to make harder choices about its diplomatic alignments.
Third, the SCO’s own agenda and cohesion will bear watching. The organisation’s ability to project a unified position on regional security issues, particularly the West Asia conflict, will influence its relevance as a diplomatic platform. India’s role within the SCO, especially in relation to China and Russia, will shape the group’s direction and effectiveness.
Fourth, the response of the United States and European Union to India’s continued engagement with Iran will be closely monitored. While Washington has generally accepted India’s pragmatic approach to Iranian oil imports under sanctions exemptions, any significant expansion of trade ties could reignite tensions.
Conclusion
The meeting between PM Modi and President Pezeshkian at the SCO summit in Moscow underscores India’s commitment to engaging with all stakeholders in West Asia, even as the region grapples with conflict and external pressures. By prioritising dialogue and economic cooperation, New Delhi is pursuing a foreign policy that seeks to protect its energy interests, safeguard its trade routes, and contribute to regional stability without sacrificing its relationships with other major powers.
The encounter also highlights the continued relevance of multilateral institutions like the SCO as venues for diplomatic engagement in an increasingly multipolar world. As the West Asia conflict shows no immediate signs of resolution, India’s willingness to maintain open lines of communication with Iran will remain a critical component of its regional strategy.
Sources
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-modi-meets-iran-president-pezeshkian-at-sco-discusses-west-asia-war-trade-expansion-us-iran-conflict-101788179386654.html
Source: Hindustan Times – India News
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Story synopsis gathered from: Hindustan Times – India News — source
