Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated India’s emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred route to achieving peace and stability in West Asia during his meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments, including the evolving situation in West Asia.
The meeting marked the first face-to-face interaction between Modi and Pashinyan since Pashinyan’s reappointment following Armenia’s parliamentary elections in June 2026. Modi congratulated his Armenian counterpart on his electoral victory and assumption of office, reinforcing the close political relationship between the two countries.
A key focus of the discussions was the continuing instability in West Asia. Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s position that sustained peace and stability can be achieved through diplomatic engagement and dialogue. This message comes as regional tensions continue to have wider implications for security, trade, energy and international stability. India has consistently advocated peaceful and diplomatic solutions to major conflicts.
Pashinyan also briefed Modi on developments concerning the Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Agreement, highlighting the importance of the evolving regional security environment in the wider Eurasian region. The discussion provided an opportunity for the two leaders to exchange perspectives on issues affecting regional peace and stability.
Beyond geopolitical issues, the talks placed significant emphasis on strengthening India-Armenia bilateral cooperation. Both sides reviewed growing engagement in areas including defence, economics, pharmaceuticals, mining, education and cultural ties. The leaders expressed satisfaction with the expansion of cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the relationship.
The meeting is significant for India’s broader diplomatic outreach as New Delhi continues to engage with partners across Eurasia on security, economic and strategic issues. Modi’s discussions in Bishkek also underline India’s efforts to use multilateral platforms such as the SCO to promote regional stability, connectivity and cooperation while maintaining an independent foreign policy approach. At the SCO summit, Modi separately called for collective action against terrorism and stressed that conflicts should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy rather than on the battlefield.
As India deepens its engagement with Armenia and other regional partners, the Modi-Pashinyan meeting demonstrates New Delhi’s continued focus on diplomatic engagement, strategic cooperation and peaceful conflict resolution amid a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.