PM Modi, Pezeshkian Hold Bilateral Meet For 2nd Time In 2 Weeks Amid Iran Crisis - NDTV

**New Delhi –** For the second time in as many weeks, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sat down with Iran’s President Ebrahim Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit 2026 in Johannesburg. The bilateral talks, which followed a brief encounter at the summit’s Business Forum, focused on de‑escalating the “Iran crisis” that has sharpened after Tehran’s renewed nuclear‑program negotiations and escalating tensions with Gulf neighbours, especially the United Arab Emirates. Both leaders stressed the need for “constructive dialogue” and highlighted India’s willingness to act as a neutral conduit for confidence‑building measures between Tehran and Abu Dhabi, a role New Delhi has been cultivating through recent high‑level contacts with the UAE’s foreign ministry.

During the three‑hour session, Modi and Pezeshkian reviewed a suite of economic initiatives, including the expansion of the India‑Iran trade corridor, joint development of the Chabahar port, and potential cooperation in the renewable‑energy sector. The two sides also addressed humanitarian concerns stemming from the regional instability, agreeing to coordinate closely with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency to ensure aid reaches affected populations in Iraq and Syria. In a symbolic gesture captured by the media, Modi clasped Pezeshkian’s hand at the close of the meeting, underscoring a “friendship that transcends politics” amid a volatile geopolitical landscape.

The meeting capped a series of diplomatic overtures by India at the summit, after which Modi is slated to meet United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres to discuss broader BRICS priorities and the global implications of the Iran‑Gulf rift. Analysts note that while India’s outreach does not signal a shift in its longstanding policy of strategic autonomy, it does reflect a pragmatic effort to safeguard energy security, protect trade routes, and contribute to regional stability without overtly aligning with any bloc. The outcomes of these engagements will likely shape India’s role in any future mediation efforts between Iran and its Gulf neighbours.