Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, stressing the need to safeguard freedom of navigation and ensure that vital shipping lanes remain open amid escalating tensions in West Asia.
During the telephonic conversation, the Prime Minister also conveyed greetings on the occasions of Eid and Nowruz, expressing hope that the festive season would bring peace, stability and prosperity to the region.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the two leaders discussed the evolving situation in the Middle East and underlined the importance of maintaining stability. “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,” he said.
Modi condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, noting that such actions threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains. He emphasised that ensuring the safety of maritime routes is essential, particularly at a time when global trade remains vulnerable to geopolitical tensions.
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The Iranian President appreciated India’s outreach, while Modi acknowledged Tehran’s continued support for the safety and security of Indian nationals in Iran.
This was the second conversation between the two leaders since the conflict began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, triggering retaliatory actions by Tehran.
Earlier, on March 12, Pezeshkian had briefed Modi on the situation in Iran and shared his perspective on developments in the region. At the time, the Prime Minister had expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security environment and reiterated India’s consistent position that differences must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
The conflict has raised concerns over disruptions to key global trade routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, which is controlled by Iran and handles nearly 20 per cent of the world’s energy shipments. Since the onset of hostilities, movement through the vital corridor has been significantly restricted.
Modi has been in touch with several global leaders since the conflict escalated, including those from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, France and Malaysia, as part of efforts to push for de-escalation and stability in the region.
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