Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Monday as leaders gathered for the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. The meeting comes at a sensitive time for West Asia, with the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel adding urgency to diplomatic discussions. Modi and Pezeshkian’s interaction is particularly significant as India continues to call for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve regional conflicts.

The two leaders are expected to discuss developments in West Asia as well as issues directly connected to India’s interests, including energy security, the Chabahar Port project and the safety of Indian nationals in the region. The meeting also highlights the importance India attaches to its relationship with Iran. New Delhi has maintained engagement with Tehran on connectivity, trade and regional cooperation, with Chabahar serving as an important link between India and Central Asia. Modi’s meeting with Pezeshkian is taking place alongside several high level interactions at the SCO Summit. The Indian Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of his diplomatic engagements in Bishkek.

The SCO gathering has brought together leaders from major Eurasian powers, including India, Russia, China and Iran. The 2026 summit is particularly significant as the organisation marks its 25th anniversary, with discussions expected to focus on security, connectivity and economic cooperation. For India, the meeting with Pezeshkian provides an opportunity to reinforce its position as a bridge between different regional stakeholders while protecting its economic and strategic interests. With tensions in West Asia continuing to affect global energy and trade routes, the talks are likely to attract considerable attention.