BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Bishkek on Monday for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, launching an intensive round of talks with Asian and regional leaders on security, trade, transportation, energy, sanctions and efforts to prevent further conflict in the region.
Pezeshkian’s two-day visit to the Kyrgyz capital is centered on the 26th summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the SCO Plus meeting. 
During his first day in Bishkek, the Iranian president held meetings with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. 
Iranian officials also said that a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled for Tuesday.
The visit is taking place against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions. Iranian officials have portrayed the SCO gathering as an opportunity for Tehran to deepen ties with major Asian powers and neighboring states while promoting a regional approach to security.
Before departing Tehran, Pezeshkian said the countries of the region should work together to establish security and economic development rather than allowing
 outside powers to determine the region’s future.
The Iranian presidency said Pezeshkian also stressed the importance of dialogue, cooperation and regional convergence. 
Pezeshkian’s first major bilateral meeting was with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, whose country is hosting the SCO summit.
The talks covered political relations, trade, energy, transportation, agriculture, tourism, defense, culture and sports. Pezeshkian said Iran and Kyrgyzstan have increased their trade by more than 30 percent in recent years, but stated that the existing level remains far below the two countries’ potential.
A major proposal discussed was the construction of a joint oil refinery in Kyrgyzstan. Pezeshkian said Iran is prepared to consider the project and could supply the refinery with crude oil, with the resulting petroleum products to be distributed between the two sides.
The Iranian president also proposed establishing a Kyrgyz logistics center at Iran’s Bandar Abbas port. The proposal would allow Kyrgyzstan to use Iranian territory and ports to gain greater access to the Persian Gulf and, through established transport corridors, markets in South Asia and East Asia.
The proposal fits into Tehran’s broader effort to position Iran as a transit bridge between Central Asia and international waters. Pezeshkian also called for full implementation of the free-trade agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union, stating that it could significantly increase trade with Kyrgyzstan and other members of the bloc.
Banking obstacles affecting Iranian businesses were another issue discussed. Pezeshkian called for greater facilitation of financial transactions involving Iranian companies. The two sides also discussed expanding agricultural, livestock, tourism and defense cooperation.
Japarov expressed readiness to deepen relations with Iran and emphasized the potential for further cooperation in economic and investment projects. Iranian officials described the meeting as an effort to move bilateral relations from existing political ties toward concrete economic projects. 
Pezeshkian’s meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the most politically significant encounters of the day.
According to the Iranian account of the meeting, Pezeshkian thanked India for maintaining cooperation with Iran during the recent period of war and called for greater diplomatic efforts to restore peace and security.
Pezeshkian said that from the beginning of his administration, Iran has sought to resolve problems through dialogue and negotiation. He said the United States has chosen war, insecurity and the imposition of its will through force rather than relying on diplomatic mechanisms.
“Iran has never welcomed war,” Pezeshkian said, according to the Iranian report, stressing that the government’s responsibility is to protect its population from danger and create the conditions for peace and security.
He also said Iran has honored commitments made under agreements while the United States has failed to fulfill its own obligations. Despite this, Pezeshkian said Tehran remains committed to pursuing agreement and understanding, stating that continuation of war is in the interests of neither Iran, the region nor humanity.
Pezeshkian urged Modi to use India’s extensive international relationships to encourage the parties involved in regional conflicts to return to dialogue.
He described India as an important regional and global power and emphasized the longstanding historical and cultural relationship between Iran and India.
Economic cooperation was another central element. Pezeshkian said Iran and India have significant opportunities in political, economic, scientific and cultural fields and could increase bilateral cooperation by reducing the effects of sanctions.
The two sides also discussed transportation and maritime cooperation, developments involving the Strait of Hormuz and the future of cooperation at Chabahar port.
The Chabahar issue is particularly important for both countries. Iran views the port as a major component of its strategy to connect Central Asia with the Indian Ocean, while India sees Chabahar as an important route for reaching Afghanistan and Central Asian markets.
Modi said India has sought to preserve its relations with Iran despite recent difficulties. He emphasized the ancient civilizational relationship between the two countries and described their historical and cultural links as a valuable foundation for future cooperation.
After the meeting, Indian officials described the discussion as constructive and said New Delhi wants to expand and diversify its trade relationship with Iran. 
Pezeshkian’s meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif focused heavily on regional diplomacy and Pakistan’s role as a mediator.
The Iranian president thanked Pakistan for its participation in recent negotiations that produced an agreement and said Iran remains prepared to implement the agreement reached through Islamabad’s efforts, provided that the other side also honors its commitments. 
Pezeshkian also thanked Sharif and the Pakistani delegation for attending a ceremony honoring Iranian casualties from the recent conflict.
The Iranian president placed particular emphasis on cooperation among Muslim countries. He said that Islamic states have the capacity to resolve their disputes without foreign intervention, adding greater unity among Muslim countries could prevent further attacks and destabilization.
The Pakistani prime minister emphasized the close relationship between the two countries and said Iran and Pakistan share responsibility for promoting peace and prosperity in the region. Following the meeting, Sharif said the two countries will work together for regional peace. 
The meeting also produced diplomatic follow-up. Sharif invited Pezeshkian to make an official visit to Pakistan, while Pezeshkian invited the Pakistani prime minister to Tehran for the upcoming summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization, scheduled for December 2026. 
Pezeshkian also met Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, with both leaders emphasizing the unusually close historical, cultural and civilizational relationship between Iran and Tajikistan.
Pezeshkian said the relationship between the two countries goes beyond conventional diplomatic relations. He described the affection between the Iranian and Tajik peoples as a major foundation for expanding bilateral ties.
He congratulated Tajikistan on the anniversary of its independence and thanked Rahmon and the Tajik delegation for their participation in a ceremony honoring Iranian casualties.
Pezeshkian also thanked Dushanbe for Tajikistan’s firm and supportive positions toward Iran.
Despite the strength of political relations, Pezeshkian stated that the economic relationship still falls short of its potential. He said Iran is prepared to pursue any initiative that could expand political, economic, scientific and cultural cooperation.
A major point was implementation. Pezeshkian said Tehran will closely follow the implementation of existing agreements and memoranda between the two countries so that Iran will not fall short in fulfilling its commitments. 
Rahmon emphasized opportunities in transportation, trade and other economic sectors and called for continued exchanges between Iranian and Tajik officials.
The Tajik president also stressed the importance of cultural cooperation involving the broader Persianate and Nowruz civilizational space. He expressed support for peace and said Tajikistan wished Iran stability and tranquility, adding that he was confident the Iranian people would overcome their current challenges through their historical experience and wisdom. 
Another significant meeting took place between Pezeshkian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
The two presidents reviewed the latest developments in relations between Tehran and Baku and discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation.
Iranian reporting said the two sides emphasized the need to use existing capacities to develop political and economic relations. The talks included broader regional developments and the importance of cooperation between neighboring countries.
Pezeshkian’s meeting with Aliyev was particularly significant because Iran and Azerbaijan share a border and have extensive economic, cultural and transportation connections, while the South Caucasus has become increasingly important to regional transit and geopolitical competition.
The Iranian president emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and expressed Tehran’s readiness to deepen economic and commercial ties. Aliyev likewise expressed support for expanding relations. 
Pezeshkian’s diplomatic agenda in Bishkek is also expected to include a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the sixth meeting between the two presidents.
The Russian side has said the two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments, including the situation in West Asia. 
The meeting is significant for Tehran because Iran regards relations with Moscow as strategic. Iranian officials have repeatedly emphasized cooperation with Russia in regional affairs, economic relations and efforts to develop non-Western international institutions.
The forthcoming meeting is also expected to take place against the background of the broader Russian-Chinese-Iranian relationship within the SCO and BRICS frameworks. 
Pezeshkian’s presence in Bishkek is not limited to bilateral meetings. He is scheduled to speak at the SCO summit and participate in the SCO Plus format.
Tehran became a full member of the SCO after years of participation as an observer and has since sought to use the organization to expand political, economic and security ties.
Alongside the diplomatic program, Pezeshkian attended the opening of the sixth World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan at Japarov’s invitation.
Iran is participating in the games with a delegation of 120 athletes. Iranian officials have presented the event as another opportunity to strengthen cultural and people-to-people relations between Iran and Kyrgyzstan.