New Delhi (PTI): He was not aware of the intricacies involved in the gas pipeline leaders of his country were in India to talk about. For 64-year-old Fathollah Abbasi, an artist, a pipeline that would open up exchange of art and culture was something necessary.

"Iran and India have cultural affinities which people should know. This could happen when we have more of such exhibitions, visit of artistes from one country to another. And that would be possible when we have good bilateral relations," Abbasi, a miniature artist told PTI here.

Abbasi was recently in the Capital to participate in a festival organised for the very first time marking "Days of Iranian culture in India".

The miniaturist says the Asian countries have much common histories and could be great partners in the field of art and culture.

Iranian President Ahmadinejad and Vice President Esfandiar Rahim-Masaei, were on a New Delhi vist to chalk out plans to strengthen bilateral relations.

The Iranian artist, who wants more cultural exhibitions between the two countries, quips "I have visited America, Russia, and Sri Lanka to participate in fairs. It took almost my entire career to visit India.

"Artistes get to learn many things from such visits. We come to know about the taste of people and the market help us create something different," feels the artist, who hails from Esfahan province of Iran, a city famous for handicrafts and is also a popular tourist destination.