What happened?
On September 9, 2025, India and Iran held their annual bilateral political consultations in Tehran, co-chaired by Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary (PAI), and Mohammad Reza Bahrami, Director General for South Asia Division of Iran’s Foreign Ministry. Both sides marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and expressed readiness to deepen ties. They reviewed cooperation on connectivity projects such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), trade, economic and financial matters, and exchanged views on regional and global issues. They also stressed the importance of coordination in multilateral forums and reaffirmed their commitment to regular consultations, with the next round scheduled for New Delhi in 2026.
Why it matters to India
Strengthening political consultations with Iran helps India secure its long-term connectivity and trade interests, especially through the INSTC and projects like Chabahar port. It also ensures a coordinated approach to regional stability and multilateral cooperation, reinforcing India’s presence in West Asia and safeguarding its strategic and economic stakes in the region.