BISHKEK: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Uzbekistan. This is the first face-to-face meeting between Modi and Pezeshkian since the start of tensions in the Middle East.
Pezeshkian cited India's extensive relations with various countries involved in the conflict and urged New Delhi to make efforts to end the conflict. PM Modi offered India's support for peace efforts. Modi reiterated that issues should be resolved through dialogue and diplomatic means.
Meanwhile, Pezeshkian at the summit said that Iran would retaliate if attacked. Pezeshkian’s stance came after the US attacks on Larak Island and Iran's retaliation against two air bases in Jordan.