Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian Arrives in Delhi; Modi Bilateral Talks to Focus on Chabahar
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has arrived in New Delhi for the summit, with his bilateral meeting with PM Modi expected to focus on Chabahar Port, regional connectivity and energy security.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived at Palam Air Force Station in New Delhi ahead of the summit, marking the first visit by an Iranian president to India in eight years. His visit follows former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s trip to India in 2018.
Pezeshkian is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the discussions expected to cover several areas of strategic importance for both countries.
The Chabahar Port project is likely to be a key issue during the meeting. India has viewed the Iranian port as an important component of its regional connectivity strategy, particularly for improving access to Afghanistan and Central Asian countries.
The two leaders are also expected to discuss energy security and ways to strengthen economic and trade ties between India and Iran.
Their talks come at a time of heightened concerns over the security of major international shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Developments affecting these routes can have wider implications for global trade, energy supplies and transportation.
Regional stability and connectivity are also expected to feature prominently in the discussions. India has been seeking greater economic and transport connectivity with Afghanistan and Central Asia, with Chabahar playing an important role in those efforts.
Modi and Pezeshkian had previously met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek. Their discussions at the time included trade diversification and regional stability, with both sides emphasising dialogue and diplomatic engagement.
Pezeshkian’s visit also comes against the backdrop of India’s engagement with multilateral groupings such as BRICS. New Delhi is seeking to use such platforms to strengthen cooperation and facilitate consensus among member countries on issues of regional and global importance.
The bilateral meeting between Modi and Pezeshkian is therefore expected to provide an opportunity for both countries to review their strategic partnership, with Chabahar Port, regional connectivity and energy security likely to remain at the centre of the discussions.
