PM Modi Reviews India-Iran Relations with President Pezeshkian at BRICS Summit
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, to review and enhance bilateral relations between the two nations.
In a post on X, PM Modi described the meeting as fruitful, stating, “We reviewed the full range of relations between our countries and discussed ways to deepen ties in futuristic sectors.” This marks the first bilateral engagement between Modi and Pezeshkian, who assumed the presidency of Iran in July following the untimely death of Ebrahim Raisi.
India’s Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari represented the country at Pezeshkian’s swearing-in ceremony in Tehran on July 30, reflecting India’s commitment to maintaining strong diplomatic ties.
The BRICS alliance, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, welcomed four new members—Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE—on January 1, 2024. Under India’s presidency, Iran also joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), further solidifying regional partnerships.
The India-Iran relationship, particularly in infrastructure and connectivity, has seen significant growth during Raisi’s presidency. Key projects like the Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) have been prioritized, facilitating multimodal trade links between Russia and India through Iran.
Just days before Raisi’s death, India and Iran had solidified their partnership with a 10-year contract for the operation of Chabahar Port, underscoring the importance of this strategic cooperation.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi also held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin upon his arrival in Kazan.
