New Delhi, June 9 (Representative) India and Iran agreed to enhance their economic and commercial ties, as well as boost connectivity, as visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval here today.The visit of the Iranian Foreign Minister comes as Iran is seeking buyers for its oil, which has reached an output of one million bpd, and the Middle Eastern country is witnessing widespread protests for weeks over sky rocketing food prices, as a result of shortage of grain due to the Ukraine conflict.Hossein Amirabdollahian, who is on a four-day official visit to India, paid a courtesy call today on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Welcoming the dignitary, Prime Minister warmly recalled the long-standing civilizational and cultural links between India and Iran. The two sides discussed ongoing bilateral cooperation initiatives. Prime Minister stressed that both countries should work to accelerate exchanges in the post-Covid era. He also requested the Iran Foreign Minister to convey his greetings to President Ebrahim Raisi, and looked forward to meeting the President of Iran at an early date.In a tweet, the PM said that the bilateral ties have mutually benefitted both countries and promoted regional security and prosperity.“Was happy to receive Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian for a useful discussion on further development of Centuries-old civilizational links between India and Iran.“Our relations have mutually benefited both the countries and have promoted regional security and prosperity,” he said.
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval here today. The two countries also inked an agreement on mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters.EAM Jaishankar in a tweet said the two ministers held wide ranging discussions, during which they reviewed the bilateral cooperation, including in trade, connectivity, health and also exchanged views on global and regional issues, including Afghanistan and Ukraine.“Wide ranging discussion with FM @Amirabdolahian of Iran.“Reviewed our bilateral cooperation, including in trade, connectivity, health and people to people ties.“Exchanged views on global and regional regional issues including JCPOA, Afghanistan and Ukraine.“Witnessed signing of an agreement on mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters,” hesaid. The Iranian Foreign Minister said he had very constructive and important negotiations with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in New Delhi.Following the meeting with Ajit Doval, Amir-Abdollahain said, “During the talks, we reviewed the roadmap for future cooperation between the two countries.”“Given that the current and future centuries belong to Asia and India is an emerging economic power in our region, we agreed on comprehensive development of economic and commercial relations in parallel with political, cultural, security and international cooperation,” he added.Earlier, the Iranian Foreign Minister stressed on good relations between Tehran and New Delhi, saying that the two countries are enhancing their comprehensive cooperation.“Relations between Tehran and New Delhi are at a very good level. We are witnessing growth and development of comprehensive relations, including in the economic and cultural fields, and exchange of delegations between the two countries, ever since the new administration took office” in Iran, Amir Abdollahian said ahead of the talks.
The Iranian foreign minister explained that he had reached an agreement with his Indian counterpart in Tehran earlier this year to draw up a roadmap for long-term cooperation between the two countries.Amir Abdollahian also touched on the recent controversial remarks by India’s two ruling party officials on Prophet Mohammad saying the Indian government has taken a stance and categorically condemned them.“India has long been following the path of peaceful coexistence, and adherents of all religions have lived there in peace and tranquility,” the Iranian foreign minister said, noting that Muslims cannot accept desecration of the Prophet of Islam in any way.Besides his talks in New Delhi, the top Iranian diplomat is to visit Mumbai and Hyderabad.Amir Abdollahian is also going to hold meetings with religious clerics, local authorities, and Iranian business people and nationals residing in India.This is his first visit to India since taking charge last year. He was expected to visit India in January this year, but that got postponed after EAM Jaishankar was confirmed with Covid.Last month both foreign ministers had a telephone conversation in which EAM invited his Iranian counterpart to visit New Delhi. During the conversation, they discussed the situation in Afghanistan, Yemen, and Ukraine.Earlier this year a direct container shipping route was established between Iran’s southeastern port of Chabahar and the two Western Indian ports of Nhava Sheva and Kandla.