Modi will visit Qatar on his way to the US.
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” During Vajpayee ji, the decision to develop Chabahar port with Iran’s help was taken, unfortunately, the greement didn’t move forward,”Gadkari added”.
Also, discussions would feature mode of clearance of the United States dollars 6.4 billion Indian refiners like Essar Oil and MRPL owe to Iran in past oil dues. But Friday’s announcement was the first formal acknowledgement that the two leaders will see each other.
Terming the “dosti” (friendship) between India and Iran as old as history, he said “through centuries, our societies have stayed connected through art and architecture, ideas and traditions, and culture and commerce”.
Pointing out that while his country was rich in energy sources, India possessed mines, he said Chabahar port would become of strategic importance for economic and trade ties between the two countries.
Separately, a trilateral Transport and Transit Agreement with participation of Iran, India and Afghanistan, “will open new routes for India, Iran and Afghanistan to connect among themselves”, Modi said.
Meanwhile, a Twitter post by the Indian Prime Narendra Modi, stated “I am looking forward to my visit to Iran today & tomorrow, at the invitation of President Rouhani”.
The official IRNA news agency reported that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani would also be in the country on Monday to sign a tripartite agreement.
“The Chabahar port can serve as a point of connectivity between different countries, especially India and Afghanistan”, he added.
India and Iran signed an MoU for bilateral contract on Chabahar Port for port development and operations between IPGPL [India Ports Global Private Limited] and Arya Banader of Iran.
Before leaving for Tehran, the Prime Minister said in a series of tweets that the visit would further cooperation and boost people-to-people ties among the countries.
The deal and plans were announced Monday during a visit by an Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first such trip in more than a decade.
The two leaders made a decision to expand and upgrade relations between India and Iran from mere trade partners.
“The visit will highlight the deepening of the US-India relationship in key areas”, a White House statement said on Friday. PM on reaching Iran received red carpet welcome and he was received by Dr Ali Tayebnia, Iran’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance.
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Modi, Rouhani exchanged views on emerging regional challenges.
