Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India wants to expand and diversify trade with Iran during a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The meeting came seven days after the United States launched an economic campaign targeting Iran, increasing pressure on its military activities, energy and petrochemical trade and creating sanctions risks for foreign businesses dealing with Tehran.

In a post on X, Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening its long-standing friendship with Iran across sectors. He also said India would support all efforts aimed at securing lasting peace. The leaders discussed the regional situation in their first in-person meeting since the US-Iran conflict began six months earlier.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said New Delhi was exploring feasible new trade opportunities within existing constraints, including financing, insurance, transport and logistics. Bilateral trade fell from $17.03 billion in 2018-19 to $1.63 billion in 2025-26. India is also consulting stakeholders on a sustainable path for Chabahar port after its US sanctions exemption expired on April 26.