Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to use India’s extensive diplomatic contacts to help move the parties involved in the regional conflict away from war and towards dialogue and a negotiated settlement.

Pezeshkian made the appeal during his meeting with Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. He also thanked New Delhi for its support and cooperation with Tehran during the recent conflict and called for stronger diplomatic efforts to restore peace and security in the region.

Pezeshkian Seeks Modi’s Help

According to the Iranian readout of the meeting, Pezeshkian highlighted India’s important position and capabilities in the region and the wider world.

He urged Modi to use India’s extensive contacts with different parties to encourage them to step away from war and bloodshed and return to dialogue and agreement.

The appeal places India’s diplomatic role in focus as tensions continue to affect West Asia.

Modi Meets Iran President

Modi and Pezeshkian held talks on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek.

The meeting was significant as the two leaders discussed regional and global developments at a time of heightened tensions involving Iran and the United States.

The Indian readout also highlighted discussions on international and regional developments during the talks.

Iran Calls For Diplomacy

Pezeshkian argued that dialogue and cooperation were the way forward for resolving the problems facing the region.

He said all available diplomatic capacities should be used to prevent insecurity and conflict from spreading further.

The Iranian president stressed that continued war would serve neither the interests of Iran and other regional countries nor humanity as a whole.

Pezeshkian Criticises US

During his remarks, Pezeshkian criticised Washington’s approach to the conflict.

He accused the United States of choosing what he described as a path of war, insecurity and imposing its will through force instead of relying on diplomatic mechanisms.

Pezeshkian said Iran had never welcomed war and maintained that Tehran’s responsibility was to protect its people while creating conditions for peace and security.

Iran Thanks India

The Iranian president also thanked India for its support and cooperation with Tehran during the recent war.

He called for intensified diplomatic efforts to establish peace and security in the region.

The remarks reflect Tehran’s interest in maintaining close communication with New Delhi as Iran seeks diplomatic avenues amid continuing regional tensions.

India’s Diplomatic Position

India has maintained engagement with multiple countries and regional stakeholders, giving New Delhi diplomatic channels with different sides of major international disputes.

Pezeshkian specifically pointed to these “extensive contacts” while asking Modi to encourage a return to dialogue.

However, the available account of the meeting does not establish that India has formally agreed to undertake a mediation role between Iran and the United States or other parties.

Peace Efforts In Focus

Pezeshkian said the continuation of war was not in the interest of the region and called for efforts to strengthen peace, stability and security.

His appeal to Modi comes as the SCO Summit provides a platform for leaders from Eurasia and other member states to discuss regional and international developments.

For India, the meeting provides another avenue to communicate its position on peace, dialogue and regional stability while maintaining engagement with Tehran and other international partners.

India Iran Ties Continue

The Modi-Pezeshkian meeting highlights the importance of India-Iran relations amid a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.

India and Iran maintain historical and cultural links as well as economic and strategic interests, including connectivity through the Chabahar port.

Pezeshkian’s request also underlines the diplomatic weight Tehran attaches to New Delhi’s ability to communicate with multiple international partners.

For now, the key development is the Iranian president’s appeal to Modi to use India’s diplomatic reach to help pull the parties away from conflict and back towards negotiations. Whether New Delhi takes on a more direct mediation role will depend on subsequent diplomatic developments.