India keen on expanding ‘trade basket’ with Tehran: PM Modi to Iranian President

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (August 31) conveyed to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during a bilateral meeting in Bishkek on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit that India was keen to "expand and diversify" the trade basket with Iran in the "times to come", adding that it will continue to support all efforts aimed at ensuring lasting peace in West Asia. The development comes days after US President Donald Trump warned any country providing financial or commercial assistance to Iran of severe consequences.

"Met President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek. Reiterated our commitment to strengthening India’s long-standing friendship with Iran across diverse sectors," the prime minister said on social media.

"We want to expand and diversify our trade basket in the times to come. We had a discussion on the prevailing situation in the region. India will continue to support all efforts aimed at ensuring lasting peace," he added.

Modi-Putin talks in Bishkek

PM Modi is also scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the two leaders set to review the full range of India-Russia relations. The meeting comes after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Putin at the Kremlin during his two-day visit to Russia.

PM Modi and Putin last met in December 2025, when the Russian President travelled to New Delhi for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. The upcoming talks will be the first between the two leaders since the war in the Middle East began earlier this year and disrupted global oil markets.

Also Read: Looking forward to work together for region free from terror: Modi ahead of SCO Summit

The Prime Minister reached Kyrgyzstan on Sunday (August 30) evening after completing a two-day visit to Uzbekistan. Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, received him at the airport, where a traditional Kyrgyz dance performance also took place. PM Modi is attending the SCO summit at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov.

SCO summit gets underway

The summit began in Bishkek on August 31 and will continue through September 1, as the SCO marks 25 years since its establishment. Leaders from its 10 member states, along with 15 partner countries and two observer nations, are attending discussions covering regional and international issues.

Also Read: Why upcoming SCO and BRICS summits are thorny for India

Iran's state-run IRNA reported that Pezeshkian is due to hold bilateral talks also with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.

Pezeshkian speaks on regional tensions

Before leaving Tehran, Pezeshkian said Iran does not seek war but would answer aggression with strength and determination. He also spoke about regional instability and the need for closer cooperation on economic and security matters.

Also Read: PM Modi to visit Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan from Aug 29 for bilateral talks, SCO summit

"This meeting is very important, and most of the leaders of the region will be present in it. In a situation where some international institutions are seeking to create a unified space in the world, this meeting is considered a symbol of the existence of diverse and independent voices in the global arena," he said.

"We live in a region whose destiny, history, and civilisation go back thousands of years, and we have always been in communication, coexistence, and growth with each other. Therefore, peace, security, economy, and civilisation have arisen from this land, and it is natural that we should strive to expand this trend in today's world,” he added.

Xi, World Nomad Games on agenda

Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders are also attending the Bishkek summit. It was not immediately clear whether PM Modi and Xi had a bilateral meeting scheduled. Modi is also due to attend the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games during his Kyrgyzstan visit. (With agency inputs)