Modi is expected to use the trip to elevate ties with Iran and show that India was in it for the long haul.
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Modi will also meet Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Modi, who will meet President Hassan Rouhani on Monday for formal talks, said he had during their last meeting at Ufa a year ago indicated possibilities of cooperation in ports, fertiliser and petrochemical sector. Rouhani will also host a lunch for him.
“Enhancing connectivity, trade, investments, energy partnership, culture and people to people contacts would be our priority”, Modi wrote on his Twitter account on the eve of his visit to Iran.
The LEMOA, which is known as Logistics Support Agreement (LSA) in USA, will enable the military of both countries to use each other’s military bases, naval warships and fighter jets.
India still owes Iran $6.5 billion that Tehran was unable to recover because of the worldwide sanctions.
Modi also said that the welfare of the people of the two countries was guiding the broad-based economic ties. We Indians have this specialty. “Animated by this spirit, we Indians make every country our home”, Modi told the gathering at the gurudwara.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is headed to Iran on Sunday where he will witness the signing of several economic agreements with the Islamic Republic.
“Let us all work together to serve humanity”, the prime minister said.
He ended his speech with couplet by the poet Ghalib to describe the India-Iran relationship.
India and Iran had agreed to look at developing the port in southeastern Iran in 2003 during a visit to India by then Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, but the venture has not made much progress.
“We have always attached great importance to our relations with India, a major power”.
The key agreement signed was a contract for development of Phase I of the Chabahar port on southern coast of Iran by an Indian joint venture.
Describing the agenda and scope of partnership as truly substantial, Modi said, “the outcomes and agreements signed today open a new chapter in our strategic partnership…”
“As friends and neighbours, we have shared interest in each other’s growth and prosperity, and joys and sorrows”, he added.
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In 2012, Iran was India’s second-largest crude supplier but oil exports subsequently fell due to global sanctions over Iran’s disputed nuclear program.
