‘Committed to peace, stability’: PM Modi speaks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian amid West Asia tensions

Modi said on social media that he spoke to Pezeshkian to discuss the “serious situation in the region”.

Updated on: Mar 13, 2026, 06:58:45 IST

By Rezaul H Laskar

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed deep concern at the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives in West Asia in his first phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian since the start of the Iran-US conflict last month.

Modi said on social media that he spoke to Pezeshkian to discuss the “serious situation in the region”.

“Expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure,” he said.

Modi also raised the safety and security of Indian nationals and the “need for unhindered transit of goods and energy” with Pezeshkian, and said these continue to be India’s “top priorities”.

He said he also reiterated India’s commitment to peace and stability, and the country's consistent position that issues should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.

An Indian government readout of the conversation said Pezeshkian briefed Modi on the current situation in Iran and shared his perspective on recent developments in the region.

There are about 9,000 Indians in Iran, including students, professionals, seafarers and pilgrims. Indian authorities have already moved hundreds of Indian citizens from Tehran to safer locations. Scores of Indians have also left Iran for Azerbaijan and Armenia to get flights to return home.

Since the start of the Iran-US conflict on February 28, external affairs minister S Jaishankar has spoken to his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi three times to discuss the escalation of tensions and steps to ensure the movement of merchant vessels.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rezaul H Laskar
Rezaul Hasan Laskar is Foreign Editor with the Hindustan Times, which he joined in 2015. He began as a journalist in his hometown of Shillong in northeast India and has worked in newspapers and wire services over the years. He moved to New Delhi in 1997 and initially focused on defence, national security, Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast, while also working of foreign policy and international relations. He has been part of the media delegation accompanying PMs on foreign visits and has reported from destinations ranging from Tibet to Ukraine. Between 2007 and 2013, he was the Press Trust of India correspondent in Pakistan, one of only two Indian journalists allowed to report from the country. He extensively covered Pakistan’s domestic politics and the life of the common people, as well as the fallout of the 2008 Mumbai attacks on India-Pakistan relations and the subsequent trial in Pakistan of the suspects involved in the attack. As part of his reportage in Pakistan, he travelled the breadth of the country, from the Swat Valley to Balochistan. Reza’s first gig in journalism was writing a weekly music column, and music – especially classic rock – remains a keen interest. He is also a movie buff and a keen photographer.Read More

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