Noted journalist and former Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sent a ‘very powerful message’ to signatories of the recent Mecca Pact.
PM Modi and Pezeshkian met on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek on Monday. They discussed bilateral relations and developments in the West Asia conflict.
Akbar said the meeting’s timing, against the backdrop of the pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, carried strategic significance.
The meeting itself actually sent the message that war and war alliances are not the solution to problems.
During the meeting, PM Modi voiced concern over escalating regional tensions. He reiterated India’s position that disputes should find resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.
Akbar described India-Iran ties as ‘flexible realism’ and highlighted trade discussions. He further referred to American sanctions and tariffs targeting Iran.
He stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz safe for shipping. Furthermore, he called the Chabahar port discussion a crucial bilateral element. He said the port’s revival would benefit both countries.
Akbar praised NSA Ajit Doval’s recent Beijing visit. He said it had an ‘extraordinarily salutary effect’ on India-China ties. He further linked the improvement to the 1988 border understanding and said both sides could pursue cooperation despite unresolved issues.
Akbar highlighted Chinese President Xi Jinping’s scheduled New Delhi visit for the BRICS Summit. He said the Prime Minister Modi-Xi meeting could ease existing tensions and create space for wider cooperation.
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