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TEHRAN: India and Iran today
decided to give a major push to
their bilateral ties in all aspects
including connectivity for which
New Delhi will participate in the
upgradation of strategically crucial Chahbahar port. During a meeting between
external affairs minister Salman
Khurshid and his Iranian
counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi
under the framework of Joint
Commission, the two sides agreed to work on a trilateral
transit agreement involving
India, Iran and Afghanistan. But it was underlined that the work on the draft
agreement should be started soon. The two sides also discussed ways to enhance
trade relations and people to people contact,
regarding which the need was felt for liberalising
the visa regime. At the meeting, Khurshid conveyed India's
decision to participate in the upgradation of
Chahbahar port. He informed the Iranian side that
the Indian government has given in-principle nod
to this project. As a follow up, India's Secretary, ministry of
shipping, will travel to Tehran for negotiations on
cost and other aspects. The Iranian side underlined that the project is
important not only for Iran and Afghanistan but
for entire central Asia. The two sides also reviewed the progress on the
proposed North-South corridor which will link
Russia with Iran, with Khurshid saying that any
obstructions or any hurdles should be resolved. Iran's controversial nuclear programme also
came up for discussions and Salehi informed that
talks with P5+1 will start in this year. Salehi gave a detailed briefing on the subject to
Khurshid who was appreciative of the decision
to resume talks. The two sides felt that the level of trade was not
reflective of the close relations between the two
countries and should be enhanced. In this regard, agriculture and pharma products
and aeronautics were among the areas identified
where cooperation could be increased. The two sides reiterated importance of
enhancing cooperation in expanding trade and
banking relations and agreed to study the
prospects of joint investment in both countries. India and Iran, while noting their capabilities in
the industrial sector, agreed to diversify their
cooperation in this regard. On Afghanistan, the two countries discussed the
developing situation in Afghanistan and agreed
to remain in regular contact. Iran and India expressed deep concern on the
continuing and unabated violence in Syria and
called upon all sides in the Arab country to abjure
violence and resolve all issues peacefully through
discussions taking into account the aspirations of
its people. In this regard, the two sides supported the
Geneva Communique which includes the 6-Point
Plan of Kofi Annan and welcomed the efforts of
Joint Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi. The sides also signed three Memoranda of
Understanding (MoUs), including one on water
resources management. Khurshid also inaugurated the Indian Cultural
Centre in Tehran yesterday. Khurshid also called on Iranian President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and had meetings with
Ali Akbar Velayati, Advisor to the Supreme
Leader and Ali Larijani, Speaker of the Iranian
Majlis.
http://www.timesofindia.com/india/S...sh-to-bilateral-ties/articleshow/19883766.cms
decided to give a major push to
their bilateral ties in all aspects
including connectivity for which
New Delhi will participate in the
upgradation of strategically crucial Chahbahar port. During a meeting between
external affairs minister Salman
Khurshid and his Iranian
counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi
under the framework of Joint
Commission, the two sides agreed to work on a trilateral
transit agreement involving
India, Iran and Afghanistan. But it was underlined that the work on the draft
agreement should be started soon. The two sides also discussed ways to enhance
trade relations and people to people contact,
regarding which the need was felt for liberalising
the visa regime. At the meeting, Khurshid conveyed India's
decision to participate in the upgradation of
Chahbahar port. He informed the Iranian side that
the Indian government has given in-principle nod
to this project. As a follow up, India's Secretary, ministry of
shipping, will travel to Tehran for negotiations on
cost and other aspects. The Iranian side underlined that the project is
important not only for Iran and Afghanistan but
for entire central Asia. The two sides also reviewed the progress on the
proposed North-South corridor which will link
Russia with Iran, with Khurshid saying that any
obstructions or any hurdles should be resolved. Iran's controversial nuclear programme also
came up for discussions and Salehi informed that
talks with P5+1 will start in this year. Salehi gave a detailed briefing on the subject to
Khurshid who was appreciative of the decision
to resume talks. The two sides felt that the level of trade was not
reflective of the close relations between the two
countries and should be enhanced. In this regard, agriculture and pharma products
and aeronautics were among the areas identified
where cooperation could be increased. The two sides reiterated importance of
enhancing cooperation in expanding trade and
banking relations and agreed to study the
prospects of joint investment in both countries. India and Iran, while noting their capabilities in
the industrial sector, agreed to diversify their
cooperation in this regard. On Afghanistan, the two countries discussed the
developing situation in Afghanistan and agreed
to remain in regular contact. Iran and India expressed deep concern on the
continuing and unabated violence in Syria and
called upon all sides in the Arab country to abjure
violence and resolve all issues peacefully through
discussions taking into account the aspirations of
its people. In this regard, the two sides supported the
Geneva Communique which includes the 6-Point
Plan of Kofi Annan and welcomed the efforts of
Joint Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi. The sides also signed three Memoranda of
Understanding (MoUs), including one on water
resources management. Khurshid also inaugurated the Indian Cultural
Centre in Tehran yesterday. Khurshid also called on Iranian President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and had meetings with
Ali Akbar Velayati, Advisor to the Supreme
Leader and Ali Larijani, Speaker of the Iranian
Majlis.
http://www.timesofindia.com/india/S...sh-to-bilateral-ties/articleshow/19883766.cms
