India's Modi stresses need to protect navigation, seafarers in talks with Iran's Pezeshkian

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday and underscored the need to protect the freedom of navigation and commerce, and the safety and well-being of seafarers, India’s foreign ministry said. The talks were held on the eve of the annual summit of Brics leaders in the Indian capital, which will see the participation of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, among others. India is walking a tightrope in the conflict, boasting historical and cultural ties with Iran, strong, strategic relations with Israel and close friendships with Arab countries, where millions of its nationals live and work. The South Asian nation has been particularly affected by attacks on vessels transiting the region, which have killed at least 10 Indians.

“The prime minister [Modi] reiterated India’s consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy,” the ministry said in a statement. “He also underscored the need for continued efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region, safeguarding freedom of navigation and commerce, and the safety and well-being of seafarers,” it added. This was the second meeting between the leaders in as many weeks. They last held talks on August 31, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where Pezeshkian told Modi that Tehran wanted a negotiated solution to its conflict with the US. New Delhi has condemned Tehran’s attacks on its Gulf neighbours, energy infrastructure in the region, and on ships that have led to the deaths of crew members but, in a surprise move at the Bishkek summit, signed a joint declaration condemning the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran and Western sanctions.…