Late Tuesday, Zarif met Prime Minister Tammam Salam and Hassan Nasrallah, head of the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah.
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Zarif reiterated that his visit to India creates suitable opportunities for the broadening of ties after the nuclear agreement between Tehran and the world powers as well as removal of some problems. It blamed “terrorists” for the shelling, as state media regularly refers to those fighting against embattled Syrian President Bashar Assad’s rule.
Zarif’s visit coincides with crucial developments in Afghanistan, where Iran is a low-profile but highly influential player.
Zarif will call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hold a meeting with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
The Iranian foreign minister said that both the countries could go ahead more expeditiously on the gas pipeline projects and in this regard the relevant ministries are in touch.
Zarif pointed to his recent visits to Kuwait, Qatar and Iraq immediately after the nuclear agreement, stressing that “regional dialogue” can play a constructive role at this period.
Elsewhere in his interview with Tasnim, Dakhlallah said Damascus has considered Zarif’s proposals with a “positive view”, since the two countries are on the same wavelength when it comes to principles of any political solution to the lingering crisis in Syria.
The Iranian foreign minister was due in Damascus later on Wednesday and expected to discuss a new peace plan for Syria. The city is situated about 45 kilometers (30 miles) northwest of Damascus and about 10 kilometers from the Lebanon border.
A simultaneous ceasefire began in the regime-held villages of Fuaa and Kafraya, in northwest Idlib province.
Iran and Russian Federation have continued to back Assad. Pro-government forces have demanded that “food and medical supplies enter Fuaa and Kafraya”, Abdel Rahman said.
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Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which tracks the conflict, confirmed the ceasefire and said talks would continue on evacuating fighters from Zabadani and sending food aid to Kefraya and Foua where thousands of people are under rebel siege. The Observatory said the airstrikes killed at least 31 people and wounded more than 120 people.
