New Delhi, September 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek sent a “very powerful message” against war alliances and in favour of dialogue and diplomacy, former Minister of State for External Affairs and journalist M.J. Akbar said on Tuesday.
Modi and Pezeshkian held extensive discussions in the Kyrgyzstan capital on Monday, covering bilateral relations and recent developments in the West Asia conflict. Akbar said the meeting assumed added significance as it took place against the backdrop of the recently signed Mecca Pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan.
“The meeting itself sent the message that war and war alliances are not the solution to problems. The solution lies in negotiation,” Akbar told IANS, adding that Modi’s emphasis on peace was particularly important for younger generations facing economic challenges.
During the meeting, Modi expressed concern over escalating tensions in the region and reiterated India’s position that outstanding issues should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
Akbar described India-Iran relations as an example of “flexible realism” and highlighted trade as an important component of the bilateral discussions. He said economic engagement had to be viewed alongside US efforts to impose sanctions and tariffs on Iran.
He also underlined the strategic importance of the Chabahar port, saying it had assumed greater significance amid the current regional crisis. According to Akbar, the India-Iran project had been part of the bilateral agenda for a long time and gained momentum during the first five years of Modi’s tenure. Its revival, he said, was positive for both countries.
Akbar further said India’s insistence on keeping the Strait of Hormuz safe for shipping was significant, noting that India and Iran, as civilisational states, understood the importance of building bilateral ties beyond military alliances.
On India-China relations, Akbar said National Security Adviser Ajit Doval’s recent visit to Beijing had had an “extraordinarily salutary effect” on bilateral ties. He traced the principal source of tensions to the border dispute, while noting that the 1988 understanding between the two countries had established an approach based on managing differences while pursuing cooperation in other areas.
Akbar said Doval’s visit had reinforced that approach and suggested that sections within China understood that confrontational positions were not conducive to better relations with India. He also referred to speculation about the recent removal of a senior Chinese military figure, but stressed that the opaque nature of China’s political system made it difficult to establish the facts.
He also highlighted Chinese President Xi Jinping’s scheduled visit to New Delhi for the BRICS Summit next week, saying the meeting with Modi was expected to have a strong bilateral component. Akbar expressed hope that substantive discussions between the two leaders would help resolve existing turbulence and create greater scope for cooperation.
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