Iran Hails 'Long-Standing, Historic' Ties With India After Modi-Pezeshkian Meeting

Iran has described its relationship with India as “long-standing, historic and civilisational,” days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek. The latest remarks from Tehran come at a time when tensions remain high across West Asia, giving added significance to continued diplomatic engagement between India and Iran. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran places considerable importance on its relationship with New Delhi and highlighted trade, economic cooperation and regional connectivity as key areas of mutual interest.

The Modi-Pezeshkian meeting focused on bilateral relations as well as developments in the region. India has consistently called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts and has stressed the need to protect civilians, commercial shipping and freedom of navigation amid the continuing instability in West Asia.

India and Iran have maintained close engagement on connectivity, with the development and operation of Chabahar Port remaining one of the most important areas of cooperation. Located on Iran’s southeastern coast, the port provides India with an important route toward Afghanistan and Central Asia while offering an alternative to traditional routes through Pakistan. For Iran, Chabahar is also part of its efforts to strengthen its position as a regional trade and transportation hub.

Trade and economic cooperation are also expected to remain on the agenda as both countries look for ways to expand their commercial relationship. India has shown interest in broadening its trade basket with Iran, while Tehran has repeatedly emphasised the importance of its economic engagement with New Delhi.

The two countries also interact through multilateral platforms such as BRICS and the SCO. Iran’s participation in these forums has created additional opportunities for high-level discussions with India on regional and global issues. Pezeshkian’s expected engagement with Indian leadership around the BRICS summit could provide another opportunity to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional developments. The two sides are likely to focus on connectivity, trade and economic relations, while the wider security situation in West Asia could also feature in their discussions.

For New Delhi, maintaining a working relationship with Tehran carries strategic importance because of Iran’s geographical location and its role in India's connectivity plans toward Central Asia. At the same time, India has sought to maintain balanced relations with Iran, the Gulf countries, Israel and Western partners as regional tensions continue to evolve.

Iran’s latest description of its ties with India reflects the depth and longevity of the relationship, which extends beyond immediate political and economic interests to historical and cultural connections. With both countries continuing high-level diplomatic engagement, the focus is now likely to remain on strengthening practical cooperation while navigating the complex geopolitical environment surrounding them.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from The Hindustan Times.