BRICS Summit 2024: Modi holds crucial talks with Iranian President Pezeshkian in the midst of turmoil in Western Asia
In the grand diplomatic show at the BRICS Summit here in Kazan, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a bilateral meeting for the first time since Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian took up office in July 2023. This meeting is proof once again of the time-tested historical and civilizational ties of India and Iran.
A Meeting of Significance During the BRICS Summit, Modi and Pezeshkian tried to settle long lists of issues relating to regional stability and economic cooperation. Actually, at a very trying time for India, Modi's engagement comes when concern was expressed over escalations in the security situation of West Asia where appeals are made again to exercise restraint and to protecting civilians amidst heightened tensions.
Shared interests and concerns
India and Iran are united not only by historical ties but also by the substantive confluence of economic and security interests. The dialogue covered all essential issues - the future of the port of Chabahar, people-to-people contacts, the situation in Gaza, and stability in Afghanistan. This was after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Iran in January 2024, in his first visit there since the nation
joined BRICS in September 2023. The Wider Context This is at a time when India is raising growing concern over the increased hostilities between Israel and Iran-an development that will destabilize peace in the region. Early this month, India pinned its hope on de-escalation at the earliest and going back to diplomatic dialogue. It reflected India's interest in sustaining stability in West Asia. Bridge Over
Troubled Russia Apart from a meeting with the President of Pezeshkian, PM Modi had a bilateral warm meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin-a grand indication of close coordination and deep friendship between two nations. He said that this was very important because only recently he had visited Russia and felt that cooperation between both nations is robust.