PM Modi to Meet Iran President Pezeshkian at SCO Summit in Kyrgyzstan: Iranian Media

Digital Desk

The proposed Modi-Pezeshkian meeting in Bishkek would be their first face-to-face interaction since the West Asia conflict erupted earlier this year, with regional security and bilateral ties likely to feature in discussions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Iranian state media IRNA reported on Monday.Pezeshkian arrived in Kyrgyzstan for the two-day SCO summit and the SCO Plus meeting. According to IRNA, the Iranian president is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with several leaders, including PM Modi, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.Modi arrived in Bishkek on Sunday for the 26th SCO Summit, which is being held on August 31 and September 1. The Prime Minister is visiting Kyrgyzstan at the invitation of President Sadyr Zhaparov and is scheduled to participate in the SCO Summit, the SCO Plus meeting and the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games.

First face-to-face meeting since West Asia conflict

The proposed meeting assumes significance as it would be the first in-person interaction between Modi and Pezeshkian since the outbreak of the West Asia conflict earlier this year, according to reports.The two leaders have remained in contact through telephone conversations. During their most recent reported conversation on June 30, Pezeshkian briefed Modi on developments in West Asia, while the Indian Prime Minister reiterated India's position in favour of sustained efforts for lasting peace and stability in the region.The leaders are expected to discuss regional developments as well as India-Iran bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.

Modi's bilateral meetings at SCO

The Modi-Pezeshkian meeting would come as the Indian Prime Minister holds a series of bilateral engagements on the sidelines of the SCO summit.Modi is also expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and other leaders attending the summit. The gathering comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, with West Asia and other regional security issues likely to remain important topics of discussion.The 2026 SCO summit is also significant for the organisation as it marks 25 years of the grouping. The 10-member SCO currently includes China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus.For India, the meeting with the Iranian president could provide an opportunity to discuss developments in West Asia directly with Tehran, along with bilateral cooperation and broader regional issues.The meeting is expected to take place on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek.