Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian on March 21, exchanging Eid and Nowruz greetings and discussing the security situation in West Asia.
During the conversation, PM Modi condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region and underlined the need to safeguard freedom of navigation and keep shipping lanes open and secure. This was the second phone call between the two leaders in the past 10 days.
“Spoke with President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian and conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings. We expressed hope that this festive season brings peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia. Condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains,” PM Modi posted on X after the call.
He added, “Reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that shipping lanes remain open and secure. Appreciated Iran’s continued support for the safety and security of Indian nationals in Iran.”
President Pezeshkian, on his part, referred to the current presidency of India in the BRICS grouping and said it should play an “independent role” in bringing the attacks by the US and Israel to a “halt”. He said the “prerequisite” to bringing the war to an end is the “immediate cessation of aggressions by the U.S. and Israel”.
The Embassy of Iran issued a press note about the phone call and said, President Pezeshkian “underscored that the prerequisite for ending the war and conflict in the region is the immediate cessation of aggressions by the U.S. and Israel, along with guarantees against their recurrence in the future.”
The two leaders had last spoken on March 12, when PM Modi expressed concern over the escalation of tensions in the region, including civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure. He had also repeated India’s position that all issues should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
