PM Modi, Iran President discuss West Asia; India stresses peace, stability

India emphasised the need for continued efforts to ensure peace and stability in West Asia and for safeguarding freedom of navigation and commerce during a phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday.The two leaders spoke on the phone against the backdrop of concerns about the ceasefire in West Asia following fresh attacks by the US and Iran over the past few days. The conversation also came days after Pezeshkian invited Modi for the funeral programme of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei beginning this week.ALSO READ | Bihar guv, MoS for external affairs set to attend Khamenei’s funeral“Welcomed the progress made in the negotiations and expressed hope that continued efforts will lead to lasting peace in the region. Reiterated the importance of freedom of navigation in the Hormuz Strait for India and the world,” Modi said in a social media post.According to an Indian government readout on the phone call, Modi “reiterated the need for continued efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region, and for safeguarding freedom of navigation and commerce”.The PM also welcomed the understanding reached by Iran and the US and “reiterated India’s consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy”.India grappled with shortages of oil, gas and fertilisers following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in recent months, and it has benefited from the passage of ships carrying these commodities in recent days after Tehran eased restrictions on the crucial waterway used to transport almost 50% of the country’s oil imports.ALSO READ | PM Modi’s visit deepens India-Seychelles strategic relationsPezeshkian briefs Modi on West AsiaDuring the phone conversation, Pezeshkian briefed Modi on recent developments in West Asia and “the way forward”, the readout said without giving details.While the Indian side has made no formal announcement on the level of its participation in the funeral programme for the late Iranian Supreme Leader, people familiar with the matter said minister of state for external affairs Pabitra Margherita and the governor of Bihar, Lt Gen (retired) Syed Ata Hasnain, are expected to represent India at the event.India likely to send delegation to Khamenei funeralLast week, Pezeshkian invited Modi to the funeral programme, a six-day event spanning three Iranian cities. Margherita and Hasnain, one of the few members of the Shia community to currently hold a senior constitutional position, are expected to participate in the event to be held in Tehran on July 4, the people said on condition of anonymity.India's response after Khamenei's killingKhamenei, 86, was killed on February 28, the first day of the West Asian conflict triggered by Israel and the US’s attacks on Iran. He died in an airstrike on the compound in Tehran housing his office.India had maintained silence on the Israel-US military strikes that killed Khamenei till foreign secretary Vikram Misri visited the Iranian embassy on March 5 to sign the condolence book on behalf of the government.