Top Shiite leader pushes for stronger India-Iran ties in meeting with President Pezeshkian

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks during a meeting with a group of Indian religious leaders, intellectuals and businessmen ahead of the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 11, 2026. Photo: X/@Iran_in_India

All India Shia Personal Law Council Spiritual and General Secretary Maulana Yasoob Abbas on Saturday (September 12, 2026) emphasized the need for further strengthening India-Iran relations and said that expanding cooperation between the two countries in the fields of education, trade, culture, science, technology, connectivity and energy is the key to regional and global progress and prosperity.

“I met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in New Delhi on Friday (September 11) and called for further strengthening of the historic ties between India and Iran. I handed over a letter to the Iranian President, emphasizing the need for further strengthening of India-Iran relations and condemning the attacks on Iran. India and Iran are two ancient civilizations with centuries-old cultural and trade needs between the two countries. education, commerce, culture, science, technology, connectivity and energy,” Mr. Abbas told The Hindu.

Mr. Abbas welcomed President Pezeshkian on behalf of the Shia community in India and described his visit as an important opportunity to deepen friendship and understanding between the people of the two countries. I expressed the hope that under the leadership of President Pezeshkian, India-Iran relations would enter a new and stronger phase.

“I expressed deep concern over the ongoing tensions in West Asia and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. I hope that the ongoing conflict will end soon and that peace and stability will return to the region. In my brief interaction, I expressed grief over the martyrdom of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei and strongly condemned the killing of innocent children in Taybehareh Primary School and the attack on civilian primary school teachers Shayejareh The killing of innocent children was a tragedy that shook the conscience of humanity,” the Shiite cleric said.

During the meeting, Mr. Abbas condemned terrorism, extremism and all forms of violence and also condemned the attacks on Iran. “The Indian people, especially the Shia community, stand for peace, dialogue, humanity and justice. We call on our Iranian brothers to protect the interests of India and the Indian people in the West Asian region on land and at sea, including the peaceful passage of Indian-flagged ships,” he said.

Published – 13 Sep 2026 08:31 IST