12 September,2026 02:51 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
The meeting took place during Pezeshkian’s visit to New Delhi and came amid continued international attention on developments in West Asia. Pic/Special Arrangement
Maulana Yasoob Abbas, General Secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in New Delhi on Friday and called for closer and stronger ties between India and Iran.
During the meeting, Abbas welcomed Pezeshkian on behalf of the Shia community in India and said the Iranian President's visit provided an opportunity to strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between the people of the two countries.
Abbas also handed over a letter to Pezeshkian in which he called for further strengthening bilateral relations and condemned the attacks on Iran.
Abbas highlighted the long history of relations between India and Iran, noting that the two countries have shared cultural, intellectual, spiritual and trade links for centuries. He said the relationship could be further expanded through greater cooperation in areas including education, trade, culture, science, technology, connectivity and energy.
He expressed hope that under Pezeshkian's leadership, India-Iran relations would enter a new phase marked by deeper cooperation and stronger people-to-people ties.
The meeting also covered concerns over the continuing conflict and instability in West Asia, with Abbas calling for an immediate reduction in hostilities.
Abbas expressed concern over the continuing violence in the region and said he hoped the conflict would end at the earliest, allowing peace and stability to return.
He also expressed grief over the reported death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei and condemned attacks that have resulted in civilian casualties.
Referring specifically to the reported killing of children, teachers and other civilians at Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, Abbas said the deaths of innocent children represented a grave humanitarian tragedy.
He said attacks resulting in the deaths of civilians, particularly children, should be condemned and that the protection of human life must remain central to efforts to resolve conflicts.
Abbas also condemned terrorism, extremism and violence in all forms and reiterated his opposition to attacks against Iran.
He said the Indian people, including the country's Shia community, support peace, dialogue, justice and humanitarian values. He called for efforts aimed at resolving disputes through dialogue and preventing further loss of civilian life.
Abbas also expressed his wishes for peace, progress and reconstruction in Iran. He said India and Iran's longstanding relationship had a strong foundation in their shared history and cultural connections and expressed hope that the friendship between the two countries would continue to deepen.
The meeting took place during Pezeshkian's visit to New Delhi and came amid continued international attention on developments in West Asia.
