New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a bilateral meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit 2026, with the safety of seafarers emerging as a central topic of discussion. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, the two leaders also exchanged views on a range of bilateral issues and the rapidly shifting security dynamics across West Asia.
The conversation on seafarer safety comes against a backdrop of mounting concerns over maritime security in the region. The Persian Gulf and surrounding waters have seen increased incidents involving commercial vessels, with seafarers often found at the center of geopolitical disputes. India, which relies heavily on sea routes for its energy imports and trade with the Middle East, has consistently flagged the need for protecting maritime workers from harassment, kidnapping, and violence.
West Asia has been a focal point of discussion throughout the BRICS engagements this year. The region continues to grapple with a complex web of conflicts, including the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, Houthi activities in the Red Sea, and the fragile post-conflict situation in Gaza. During their meeting, PM Modi and President Pezeshkian reportedly discussed these developments in depth, seeking common ground on ways to de-escalate tensions and ensure the free flow of commerce through key maritime corridors.
India-Iran ties have historically been grounded in energy cooperation and strategic connectivity projects, most notably the Chabahar Port in southeastern Iran, which serves as a critical trade route for India to reach Afghanistan and Central Asia without relying on Pakistan. The two nations have also maintained regular diplomatic engagement through various multilateral forums, even as regional powers and global players jostle for influence in the area.
Analysts noted that the emphasis on seafarer safety reflects India's broader maritime security doctrine, which prioritizes the protection of its approximately 85 per cent of total trade volume that moves through sea lanes. Any disruption to these routes — whether from state-sponsored aggression, non-state actor attacks, or regional conflicts — carries direct economic consequences for New Delhi.
The meeting concluded with both sides expressing willingness to deepen cooperation on maritime security, intelligence sharing, and regional stability mechanisms. No specific joint statement was released immediately after the talks.
