Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday, condemning attacks on critical infrastructure in West Asia. He reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and keeping shipping lanes open and secure. Pezeshkian called for an immediate cessation of aggressions by the US and Israel as a prerequisite to ending the war.
As the West Asia war entered its fourth week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held his second phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on March 21, 2026. Modi extended Eid and Nowruz greetings, condemned attacks on critical infrastructure that threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains, and reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring shipping lanes remain open and secure. He appreciated Iran's cooperation on the safety of Indian nationals in the country. According to the Iranian readout, Pezeshkian outlined 'aggression, unlawful attacks, and crimes' by the US and the 'Zionist regime,' stressing that Iran did not initiate the war. He noted attacks during ongoing nuclear negotiations resulted in the martyrdom of the Supreme Leader, senior military commanders, defenseless civilians including schoolchildren, and targeting of public infrastructure. Pezeshkian urged India, in its BRICS presidency, to play an independent role in halting the aggressions and proposed a regional security framework for West Asia without foreign interference. He stated that an immediate cessation of US and Israel aggressions is a prerequisite for ending the war. The conflict began on February 28 with US-Israeli bombings of Tehran. India has evacuated 913 nationals from Iran, including 284 pilgrims. Twenty-two Indian-flagged vessels with 611 seafarers remain stranded west of the Strait of Hormuz. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the developments.
