PM Narendra Modi meets Iran President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran.
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President Hassan Rouhani’s office has announced that during the visit, both sides will ink a number of agreements to “deepen their mutual ties” in the post-sanction era.
Access to Afghanistan’s Garland Highway can be made from Chahbahar port using the existing Iranian road network and the Zaranj-Delaram road, constructed by India in 2009.
Iranians were unhappy when India supported an International Atomic Energy Agency resolution condemning Tehran’s nuclear programme in 2009.
“My Iran visit is starting with the blessings before the Guru Granth Sahib at this gurudwara”.
Rouhani also stated that “Chabahar port marks the origin of International North-South Transport Corridor as well as that the construction of Chabahar-Zahedan-Sarakhs railroad can serve as a point of connectivity amongst different countries including India, Russia, Iran with Europe and Central Asia”.
Rouhani made the remarks at a joint press conference with visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tehran, May 23, Iran’s state-run IRINN TV reported. “We are committed to take steps for early implementation of the agreements signed today (Monday)”, Modi said.
Speaking to local news channels, Modi mentioned the importance of the two countries signing the Chabahar port agreement.
An MoU was also signed between the Export Guarantee Fund of Iran and the Export Guarantee Corporation of India.
Just after reaching Tehran, Modi tweeted, “Reached Iran, a land with whom India shares civilisational ties”.
Modi will here hold talks with the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei.
India had to reduce its oil imports from Iran due to UN sanctions on the Islamic nation.
He ended his speech with couplet by the poet Ghalib to describe the India-Iran relationship.
Also, discussions would feature mode of clearance of the Dollars 6.4 billion Indian refiners like Essar Oil and MRPL owe to Iran in past oil dues.
Two countries will sign several agreements to boost relations on politics, trade and transport. “Our “dosti” (friendship) is as old as history”, he said.
“As friends and neighbours, we have shared interest in each other’s growth and prosperity, joys and sorrows”.
He further said taking concrete steps for enhancing regional connectivity is one of the most important and promising dimensions of the ties between India and Iran.
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Modi is on a two-day visit to Iran, the first by an Indian prime minister to that country in 15 years.
