PM Modi, Iran President hold telephone conversation, discuss need for peace and diplomacy in the region

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian early Friday and discussed the serious situation in the region.

The Prime Minister reiterated India’s commitment to peace and stability and urged for dialogue and diplomacy. He expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure.

The Prime Minister said the safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remain India’s top priorities.

The Prime Minister emphasised that India will make its utmost effort to play a constructive role in the path of diplomacy, so that intensification of conflict is not the interest of any party.

According to Iran’s MEHR News Agency (MNA), the Prime Minister also regretted the outbreak of war during the fasting month of Ramadan, expressing hope that that the New Year (Nowruz) would bring about peace, stability and tranquility in the region.

Pezeshkian appreciated the government and people of India in sympathising with Iran, emphasising that Iran has always attached great importance to its relations with India as a friendly country.

Despite the US and Israel targeting Iran’s vital infrastructures, Iran is ‘’committed to expanding cooperation and interaction with India and friendly countries within the framework of the international organizations including BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO),’’ he added.

He emphasized the necessity of active and constructive role of BRICS to safeguard the peace, stability and security in the region.

MNA said President Pezeshkian appreciated the balanced and constructive stances of India on the international stage and its effort to reduce tensions, stressing that Iran was attacked by the United States and Israel once again in the middle of the nuclear talks.

The Iranian President said the US-Israeli aggression against Iran is a gross violation of the fundamental principles of the international law and the UN Charter which led to the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, senior military commanders and civilians, including more than 168 innocent schoolchildren in an elementary school in Minab.

Pezeshkian said Iran was not the initiator of war and has no intention to continue war. He said Iran targeted the US bases in the regional countries that were the origin of attack against the country ‘’based on the legitimate right of self-defence.’’

Condemning the assassination of the innocent Iranian people as a clear example of the ‘’State terrorism,’’ the President asserted that Iran is not interested in creating insecurity in the region.