Modi Speaks With Iran's President, Calls For De-escalation, Dialogue, Diplomacy

The telephonic conversation between the Prime Minister and the Iranian President took place hours after the US bombed the nuclear sites in Iran.

“Spoke with President of Iran Dr Pezeshkian . We discussed in detail about the current situation. Expressed deep concern at the recent escalations. Reiterated our call for immediate de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward and for early restoration of regional peace, security and stability,” Mr Modi posted X.

During the conversation Mr Pezeshkian briefed Mr Modi in detail and shared his perspective on the current situation in the region, especially the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.

According to the PMO, Mr Modi conveyed to the Iranian president that India was on the side of peace and humanity. "In this context, the PM emphasised the need for immediate de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward. He reiterated India's support for early restoration of regional peace, security and stability," it said in a statement.

The Prime Minister and the Iranian President reiterated the shared commitment to continue to work for strengthening bilateral cooperation in different areas, including trade and economic cooperation, science and technology and people-to-people ties, the PMO said. The two leaders agreed to remain in touch.

Mr Modi thanked Mr Pezeshkian for the continued support being extended for the safe return and repatriation of the Indian community. On Sunday two more evacuation flights from Mashhad landed in Delhi.

India and Iran share a warm and strategic relationship. Amid bombing and the escalation in the ongoing conflict, Iran had opened its airspace for India to allow evacuation of its citizens. The conflict has led to some concerns over economic challenges that may hurt growing economies like India, as it will not only impact exports and imports, particularly oil, but also other sectors.

Political parties like the Left and the AIMIM condemned the US strikes on nuclear sites in Iran, terming them a "grave violation" of international laws. Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary M.A. Baby warned that the fallout of the strikes will be global, including for India.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi termed the US bombings a violation of international laws and the UN Charter and Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. He also mocked Pakistan, saying it was demanding the Nobel Peace Prize for US President Donald Trump for the attacks on Iran.

In view of the escalating tension in the Middle East, Egyptian foreign minister Badr Abdelatty's two-day visit to India beginning Monday has been called off. Mr Badr was scheduled to hold wide-ranging talks with external affairs minister S. Jaishankar and commerce minister Piyush Goyal on Monday. The cancellation was sought by the Egyptian side, it is learnt.

Meanwhile, due to the prevailing situation, Air India on Sunday said that its flights are currently not operating over the airspaces of Iran, Iraq and Israel, and as a proactive measure, it will be progressively avoiding the use of certain airspace over the Persian Gulf in the coming days, opting instead for alternative paths for flights to destinations including the UAE, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait. It added that this adjustment may lead to extended flight durations for these services, as well as for select flights to/from Europe and North America.