Vowing to jointly combat terrorism and extremism, India and Iran on Monday agreed to share intelligence in a bid to fight the menace that is “rife and rampant” in the region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during delegation-level talks discussed the spread of radicalism and terrorism in the region.
“India and Iran share a crucial stake in peace, stability and prosperity of the region. We also have shared concerns over the spread of forces of instability, radicalism and terror in our region,” Mr. Modi said in a joint media interaction after bilateral and delegation-level talks with the Iranian leadership on his maiden visit.
The two countries also inked a dozen agreements, ranging from a contract to develop the strategic Chahabar port to an initial pact to set up an aluminium plant and one on laying a railway line to give India access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
Live updates:
6:10 p.m.: Ceremonial signing of trilateral agreement between India, Afghanistan and Iran on transport & transit under way. Talking about the trilateral Transport and Transit Agreement, Mr. Modi said, “It will open new routes for India, Iran and Afghanistan to connect among themselves. India and Iran also share a crucial stake in peace, stability and prosperity of the region.”
Mr. Modi speaks:
2:25 p.m.: The pact to develop Chabahar Port for which India will provide USD 500 million is a key milestone.
1:41 p.m.: We also have shared concerns at the spread of forces of instability, radicalism and terror in our region. We have agreed to consult closely and regularly on combating threats of terrorism, radicalism, drug trafficking and cyber crime
1:40 p.m.: Agreement to develop the Chabahar port & related infrastructure & availability of about $ 500 million from India is a key milestone
1:40 p.m.: We exchanged views on the emerging regional situation and global issues of common concern.
1:38 p.m.: The agenda and scope of our partnership are truly substantial.
1:37 p.m.: Your leadership and the clarity of your vision have deeply impressed me.
1:36 p.m.: India and Iran are not new friends. Our dosti is as old as history.
1:36 p.m.: As friends and neighbours, we have shared interest in each other’s growth and prosperity, and joys and sorrows.
1:33 p.m.: On behalf of the 1.25 billion Indians, I extend warm greetings to the friendly people of Iran.
1:32 p.m.: "We discussed about tourism, also talked about courses in Hindi, Persian to be held in the two countries," Mr. Rouhani says.
1:30 p.m.: President Hassan Rouhani: "Chabahar port can serve as a point of connectivity between different countries, specially India & Afghanistan, also east of Europe."
1:28 p.m: President Hassan Rouhani says, "Considering that both countries have an important port like Chabahar, we can have vast cooperation."
11:18 a.m.: Sources say the two leaders had a 30-minute restricted meeting to discuss bilateral issues of strategic and business importance.
10:42 a.m.: Mr. Modi, who will hold formal talks with President Hassan Rouhani on Monday, said he had indicated possibilities of cooperation in ports, fertiliser and petrochemical sectors during their meeting at Ufa.
10:34 a.m.: Mr. Modi receives a ceremonial welcome as he commences his official programmes in Iran.
10:30 a.m.: Mr. Modi started his Iran visit on Sunday, visiting a local Gurudawara. "The new generation should know about the sacrifices of the great Gurus and about the Guru Granth Sahib," he had said.
10:22 a.m.: “India and Iran have always focussed on adding strength to our relations, even during the difficult times,” Mr. Modi had told Iran’s IRNA news agency ahead of his arrival here on a two-day visit.
Here's the Prime Minister's schedule:
— Mr. Modi to hold talks with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and its President Hassan Rouhani.
— Trilateral agreement on Chabahar trade to be signed by Mr. Modi, President Ashraf Ghani and President Rouhani. Chabahar is a port in south-east Iran that will enable India to bypass Pakistan and open up a route to land-locked Afghanistan with which New Delhi has close security ties and economic interests. From Chabahar, the existing Iranian road network can link up to Zaranj in Afghanistan, about 883 kms from the port. The Zaranj-Delaram road constructed by India in 2009 can give access to Afghanistan’s Garland Highway, setting up road access to four major cities in Afghanistan — Herat, Kandahar, Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif. Besides signing a deal on development of Chabahar port, India is looking at doubling oil imports from Iran which a few years back was its second-biggest oil supplier, as well as getting rights to develop a giant gas field.
— Mr. Modi will inaugurate an international conference on ‘Retrospect and Prospect’ of India-Iran relations.
— The Prime Minister will also visit a local gurudwara.
As Modi visits Iran, India part-pays oil dues
Indian refiners have cleared part of the $6.4 billion owed to Iran for crude oil imports in euros through Turkey's Halkbank, three sources privy to the payment said on Saturday.
This is the first payment to Iran by India since the lifting of Western sanctions against the Persian Gulf nation earlier this year and comes just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit beginning on Sunday. State refiner Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd paid $500 million while Indian Oil Corporation has settled $250 million through the Union Bank of India, the sources said. > Continue reading...
