U.P. top Shia leader pushes for stronger India-Iran ties in meeting with President Pezeshkian

Stressing the need to further strengthen India-Iran relations, Lucknow-based cleric and General Secretary of the All-India Shia Personal Law Board Maulana Yasoob Abbas on Saturday (September 12, 2026) said expanding cooperation between the two countries in education, trade, culture, science, technology, connectivity and energy is key for regional and global progress and prosperity.

“I met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in New Delhi on Friday (September 11) and called for further strengthening of the historic ties between India and Iran. I handed over a letter to the President of Iran, stressing the need to further strengthen India-Iran relations and condemning the attacks on Iran. India and Iran are two ancient civilisations with centuries-old cultural, intellectual, spiritual and trade relations. He stressed the need to further expand cooperation between the two countries in education, trade, culture, science, technology, connectivity and energy,” Mr. Abbas told The Hindu. 

Mr. Abbas welcomed President Pezeshkian on behalf of the Shia community in India and described his visit as an important opportunity to deepen friendship and understanding between the people of the two countries. I expressed hope that under President Pezeshkian’s leadership, India-Iran relations would enter a new and stronger phase.

“I expressed deep concern over the continuing tensions in West Asia and called for an immediate reduction in hostilities. I hope that the ongoing conflict will end soon and that peace and stability will return to the region. In my brief interaction, I expressed grief over the martyrdom of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei and strongly condemned the killing of innocent children, teachers and civilians in the attack on Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab. The killing of innocent children was a tragedy that had shaken the conscience of humanity,” said the Shia cleric. 

During the meeting, Mr. Abbas condemned terrorism, extremism and all forms of violence, and also denounced the attacks on Iran. “The people of India, particularly the Shia community, stand for peace, dialogue, humanity and justice. We urge our Iranian brothers to protect the interests of India and the Indian people in the West Asia region across land and sea, including the peaceful passing of ships with Indian flag,” he said.