Iran, India ties to be boosted: President Rouhani

EghtesadOnline: Iran's president, on Thursday and before leaving Tehran for New Delhi, said that during his stay in India he and his accompanying team will discuss with the Indian officials ways to enhance bilateral relations in an array of fields.

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15 February 2018

President Hassan Rouhani said that officials of the two countries will examine development of relations in areas like economy, culture, communications and information technology, healthcare, industry and agriculture, IRNA reported.

He also said that one of the top issues expected to be discussed between the two countries, is development of transit cooperation between the two nations.

Development of the Chabahar Port city in southern Iran and connecting India to Afghanistan and Central Asia is of great importance to India based on the agreement signed by the presidents of Iran, India and Afghanistan regarding the issue, President Rouhani said.

Rouhani heading a politico-economic delegation departed Tehran for New Delhi on Thursday upon the invitation of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

'Recently, the developed phase of Shahid Beheshti Port in Chabahar was opened in presence of officials from 17 countries,' he said, adding that the capacity of the port will be raised to 8.5 million tons in the next phases.

'Iran and India also share concerns, including terrorism, as both are members of The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM),' the president added.

'The two countries are on the same positive, right track,' Rouhani said, expressing hope that his visit to India will serve as complementary to the visit to Iran by Prime Minister Modi in May 2016.

Several high-ranking Iranian officials including Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zanganeh, Minister of Road and Urban Development Abbas Akhundi, Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade Mohammad Shariatmadari and Chief of staff of Iran's President Mahmoud Vaezi are accompanying President Rouhani during his three-day visit to India.