In a telephonic conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined the need for continuous efforts to maintain peace and security in West Asia and to defend freedom of navigation and commerce.
The two leaders held a phone conversation against the backdrop of fears regarding the ceasefire in West Asia in the wake of fresh attacks by the US and Iran in the past few days. The meeting also came a few days after Pezeshkian invited Modi for the burial program of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei starting this week.
He expressed hope that the continuing efforts will lead to a permanent peace in the region and welcomed the progress achieved in the negotiations. Reiterated the importance of freedom of navigation in Hormuz Strait for India and the world,” Modi said in a social media post.
An Indian government readout on the phone chat said Modi “reiterated the need for continued efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region, and for safeguarding freedom of navigation and commerce”.
The PM also hailed the deal struck between Iran and the US and “reiterated India’s consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy”.
India experienced shortages of oil, gas and fertilisers after the Strait of Hormuz was shut in recent months, and has benefited from the passage of ships carrying these commodities in recent days after Tehran eased restrictions on the vital waterway that carries almost 50% of the country’s oil imports
In the telephonic chat, Pezeshkian briefed Modi on the recent developments in West Asia and “the way forward”, the readout stated without giving details.
While the Indian side has not made any formal announcement on the level of its participation in the funeral programme for the late Iranian Supreme Leader, people familiar with the matter said minister of state for external affairs Pabitra Margherita and the governor of Bihar, Lt Gen (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain, are expected to represent India at the event.
India expected to send delegation to Khamenei burial
Last week, Pezeshkian invited Modi to the funeral programme, a six-day spectacle that will include three Iranian towns. The persons, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Margherita and Hasnain, one of the few members of the Shia sect to now hold a prominent constitutional position, are scheduled to join in the event to be held in Tehran on July 4.
India’s reaction following assassination of Khamenei
Khamenei, 86, was assassinated on 28 February, the first day of the West Asian crisis set off by Israel and the US’s attacks on Iran. He was killed in an air strike on the compound in Tehran where his office was located.
India had kept quiet on the Israel-US military operations that killed Khamenei until foreign secretary Vikram Misri visited the Iranian embassy on March 5 to sign the condolence book on behalf of the govern
