Bishkek/New Delhi, 31 August (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit here. The two leaders exchanged views on India-Iran relations, recent developments in West Asia and the rapidly evolving regional situation.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Prime Minister Modi expressed concern over the escalating tensions in the region and reiterated India's consistent position that all issues should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. He also stressed the need for sustained efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region.

PM Modi underscored the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation and commerce, stressing that civilians and civilian infrastructure must not be harmed under any circumstances. He also highlighted the need to ensure the safety and security of commercial vessels and maritime personnel.

The Prime Minister reiterated India's commitment to close cooperation with Iran in multilateral organisations, particularly BRICS and the SCO. He invited President Pezeshkian to visit India to attend the BRICS Summit and said he looked forward to welcoming him to the country.

Earlier, on the sidelines of the SCO Summit, Prime Minister Modi also met Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Sharing photographs of the meeting on social media platform X, Modi described it as an excellent interaction.

The Prime Minister said India and Armenia were expected to further expand cooperation across several areas, including defence, information technology, space, education and pharmaceuticals. He also expressed confidence that trade and investment ties between the two countries would be strengthened further in the coming period.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar