Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, according to Iranian media reports. The reported meeting would bring the two leaders together at a time when West Asia remains under intense geopolitical pressure.
The two-day SCO Summit is being held in Bishkek on August 31 and September 1, with leaders from the organisation's member states gathering to discuss regional security, counter-terrorism, trade, connectivity and other international issues. The summit is also taking place as the SCO marks 25 years since its establishment.
Modi and Pezeshkian at Bishkek summit
Prime Minister Modi arrived in Bishkek on Sunday after completing his visit to Uzbekistan. He is attending the summit at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov.
Iranian President Pezeshkian is among the prominent leaders participating in the summit. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are also attending, while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are among other leaders expected at the gathering.
The reported Modi-Pezeshkian meeting would be significant against the backdrop of developments in West Asia and Iran's wider diplomatic engagement with major regional powers.
West Asia tensions in focus
The SCO gathering comes amid continuing geopolitical tensions in West Asia. The conflict involving Iran and its wider regional implications are expected to form part of the broader discussions among participating leaders.
Iran's engagement with India has strategic importance, particularly in areas involving connectivity, energy and regional cooperation. India has also maintained diplomatic engagement with Tehran while seeking to protect its interests amid changing conditions in the region.
SCO agenda includes security and trade
Regional security and counter-terrorism are expected to remain central themes at the summit. Leaders are also expected to discuss trade, energy, transport connectivity and digital cooperation. The ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine are among the international developments likely to influence discussions.
The SCO was established in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became full members in 2017, while Iran joined the organisation in 2023 and Belarus followed in 2024. The grouping currently has 10 member states, along with dialogue partners and observer countries.
India-Iran ties in spotlight
A meeting between Modi and Pezeshkian could provide an opportunity for the two sides to exchange views on regional developments and bilateral cooperation. India and Iran have longstanding economic and strategic interests, including connectivity initiatives linking India with Central Asia.
The discussions could also assume significance as India balances its relationships with countries across the region while advocating dialogue and diplomatic solutions to conflicts.
Modi's wider SCO engagements
The prime minister is also expected to hold bilateral discussions with other leaders on the sidelines of the summit. His reported meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin is among the key engagements being watched during the Bishkek visit.
Modi has said India's approach to the region is anchored in security, connectivity and opportunity, while stressing the need for a region free from terrorism, separatism and extremism.
The SCO summit is therefore likely to provide India with a broad diplomatic platform to engage with Iran, Russia, China, Central Asian countries and other participating nations as geopolitical and economic issues remain closely intertwined.
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