Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday, expressing serious concern about the escalating situation in the region and calling for restraint and diplomatic engagement to prevent further deterioration.
Following the discussion, Modi shared in a post on social media that the two leaders reviewed the “serious situation in the region.” He highlighted the humanitarian consequences of the ongoing conflict, particularly the loss of civilian lives and the damage being reported to public infrastructure.
The prime minister stressed that protecting civilians should remain a key priority as hostilities intensify. He also emphasised the importance of dialogue and diplomacy as the most effective path to easing tensions.
During the exchange, Modi raised the issue of Indian citizens currently present in Iran. He noted that the safety and security of Indian nationals remains a primary concern for the government and said authorities are closely monitoring developments to ensure their well-being.
The conversation also touched upon the need to maintain uninterrupted trade routes and the steady movement of energy supplies, factors considered crucial for both regional stability and the global economy.
New Delhi reiterated its longstanding position that peace and stability in the region are essential and urged all parties involved to seek solutions through diplomatic channels rather than confrontation.
This discussion marked the first direct engagement between top leaders of India and Iran since tensions escalated following hostilities that began on February 28 involving Iran and the alliance of the United States and Israel.
Earlier, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed Parliament that maintaining communication at the leadership level with Iran had become challenging due to the current circumstances. However, he confirmed that he had spoken several times with Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, since the crisis began.
Those discussions included concerns about the safety of maritime trade routes and the implications for India’s energy supplies.
Meanwhile, the Indian government is working to assist its nationals who wish to leave Iran as the security situation remains uncertain. Officials estimate that about 9,000 Indians are currently in the country, many of them students enrolled in medical and other professional courses.
The Indian embassy in Tehran is helping citizens travel by road to neighboring countries such as Armenia and Azerbaijan, where commercial flights to India are available. Assistance is also being provided for visas and border procedures to facilitate safe passage.
India had previously issued travel advisories urging citizens to leave Iran earlier this year. After tensions escalated, several students and pilgrims in Tehran were relocated to other cities as a precautionary step.
