Iran terms India ties 'very good' ahead of President Pezeshkian's BRICS visit

New Delhi: Iran has described its ties with India as "very good" and said it attaches "great importance" to the relationship, as President Masoud Pezeshkian prepares to visit India for the BRICS summit on September 12-13.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Monday night that the two countries share a "long-standing, historic and civilisational relationship".

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Baghaei said Iran would use the BRICS summit as an opportunity to continue discussions with India on areas of mutual interest.

"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," Baghaei said. "Various issues are usually discussed during consultations between Iran and India, including the Chabahar Port, which is important to both countries," he said, adding Iran's relationship with India "continues to develop".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pezeshkian met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek last Monday, in their first meeting since the war, and discussed trade partnership, among other issues.

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Since the war, Modi and Pezeshkian have also held three telephone conversations on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the conflict situation. "Met President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek. Reiterated our commitment to strengthening India's long-standing friendship with Iran across diverse sectors. We want to expand and diversify our trade basket in the times to come," Modi had written on X following his meeting with Pezeshkian.

The statement signalled India's willingness to widen its trade ties with Iran amid US sanctions on the Persian Gulf state. During the meeting, Modi called for freedom of navigation and protection of seafarers' lives against the backdrop of challenges faced by India amid volatility in West Asia.