PM Narendra Modi clarifies stance on West Asia conflict; holds meeting with Iranian President

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who arrived in India to attend the BRICS summit. Discussions during the meeting focused on further strengthening India-Iran relations, including in ​trade. Modi emphasised that India attaches great importance to the safety and security of ship crews. India reiterated that diplomacy is the only way forward to find a long-term solution to the crisis in West Asia. India also highlighted energy security as a key concern and called for ensuring safe passage for oil tankers.

Before departing for India, Pezeshkian stated that BRICS nations should focus more on strengthening their economic resilience. He remarked that the BRICS alliance was formed to enable countries to achieve economic independence from reliance on the dollar and to counter American dominance.

Pezeshkian also called for increased use of national currencies in trade between member states at the BRICS Business Forum on Friday. He also said that BRICS should create a situation where no country can establish a monopoly on the financial systems and obstruct the legitimate trade of another country. Pezeshkian criticised US military actions and sanctions. This is the second bilateral meeting between Modi and Pezeshkian in two weeks. The two met during the SCO conference held in Bishkek on August 31.