PM Modi and Iran President Hold First Call After Ceasefire; BRICS Invite and West Asia Peace Talks Highlight Discussion

In their first phone conversation since the Iran War ceasefire was declared, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, praised the advancement of talks to ensure peace in West Asia. Tehran claimed that the Indian leader had also extended an invitation to President Masoud Pezeshkian to attend this year's BRICS Leaders' Summit.

BRICS Invitation

PM Modi "formally invited the President of Iran to attend the upcoming BRICS Leaders’ Summit to be hosted by India and expressed hope that the meeting would contribute to further strengthening multilateral cooperation among the member countries," according to the Iranian readout of the phone call that its embassy in New Delhi posted on X.

According to the Iranian readout, Modi also expressed condolences "on behalf of the Government and people of India" for the deaths of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other Iranian officials and citizens during the recent conflict, and informed that India would send "a special delegation" to the funeral services.

Khamenei Funeral Dates Announced

The phone call took place a few days after Pezeshkian invited Modi to the state funeral for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader. Khamenei's funeral will begin in Tehran on July 4, and he will be buried in his hometown of Mashhad on July 9.

Due to his planned departure on a three nation visit around the same dates, PM Modi might not be able to attend the funeral. According to reports, the government has selected Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and retired Bihar Governor Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain to lead the Indian delegation.

Delegation Yet to Be Announced

The delegation has not yet been formally announced by the Indian government, although sources had earlier confirmed their names. Modi’s post on X did not mention either the delegation or the condolences.

Pezeshkian stated that Iran "remains committed to its obligations" in reference to the agreement that ended hostilities and expressed hope that "the other side will also implement the terms of the agreement in good faith and with a sense of responsibility, so that the conditions for lasting peace, stability, and security in the region may be established."

According to the Iranian readout, Pezeshkian expressed gratitude for "the constructive positions adopted by the Government of India" and PM Modi's "personal role in supporting peace, stability and regional cooperation."