India Seims to Expand Trade with Iran Amid Sanctions: Modi Meets Pezeshkian

During a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed a strong desire to further expand and diversify bilateral trade with Tehran. Modi's remarks carry significant diplomatic weight against the backdrop of renewed economic pressure and restrictions imposed by Western powers on Iran.

The two leaders met on Monday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Although they had communicated over the phone following recent tensions in the region, this marked their first face-to-face meeting. In a post on social media platform X after the talks, Modi stated that he reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening India's longstanding friendship with Iran and emphasized expanding the scope of trade goods between the two nations in the coming days.

The approximately 30-minute meeting included detailed discussions on the ongoing situation in West Asia and potential pathways to restore peace and security in the region. The safety of seafarers and the necessity of unhindered commercial shipping were also key highlights of the agenda. However, according to sources, the Chabahar port—in which India has invested significantly over the past decade—was not raised during the talks.

Emphasizing dialogue and diplomacy for the peaceful resolution of all issues, Modi reiterated that India’s efforts to ensure peace and stability in West Asia will continue. He also expressed eagerness to welcome the Iranian President to New Delhi for the upcoming BRICS summit in a few weeks. Notably, while India and Iran historically shared robust trade ties, bilateral trade has seen a significant decline over recent years due to various international restrictions. In Bishkek, Modi also held a separate meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.