Iran on Monday praised its ties with India as “very good” and said it attaches “great importance” to the relationship, more than a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the two countries share a “long-standing, historic and civilisational relationship”, adding that Tehran attaches “great importance” to its ties with India.
“India is a member of both the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and BRICS. It is also one of the countries with which we have good relations in various areas, particularly trade and economic cooperation,” he added.
Esmail Baghaei, @IRIMFA_SPOX Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the I.R. #Iran:
One of the meetings that President Masoud Pezeshkian held in Bishkek was with the Prime Minister of #India. Our relationship with India is a long-standing, historic and… pic.twitter.com/To8UVIbCGz
— Iran in India (@Iran_in_India) September 7, 2026
Baghaei’s remarks came ahead of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, which will be held in New Delhi from September 11 to 13 under India’s chairship.
Iran Eyes More Talks With India
Speaking at a press briefing, Baghaei said Iran would use the BRICS Summit as an opportunity to continue discussions with India on areas of mutual interest.
“Various issues are usually discussed during consultations between Iran and India, including the Chabahar Port, which is important to both countries,” he said.
“We will certainly make use of the opportunity provided by the BRICS Summit to continue our discussions and consultations with India in areas of mutual interest.”
Baghaei added that Iran’s relationship with India “continues to develop”.
PM Modi and Pezeshkian met on August 31 in Bishkek, in their first meeting since the West Asia war broke out earlier this year.
Iran-India Ties In Focus Amid US Warning
Baghaei’s comments come amid US scrutiny of India’s engagement with Iran.
Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he did not believe PM Modi’s meeting with Pezeshkian was aimed at paving the way for an India-Iran trade deal.
Speaking to Fox News Radio, Rubio had said countries could pursue their own foreign policies but warned against helping Iran bypass US sanctions.
“No country should be out there helping them create mechanisms by which they can generate revenue that they will then use to sponsor terrorism and try to build a nuclear weapon,” Rubio said, adding that countries helping Tehran evade sanctions could face US sanctions.
“And if countries decide to do that, then we’re going to have to sanction them too,” he added.
