External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met Ali Akbar Velayati, a top adviser to Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei, here on Sunday and held discussions of mutual interest to bolters ties between the two nations.
"Deepening a time tested friendship. EAM @SushmaSwaraj meets Ali Akbar Velayati, Advisor to the Supreme Leader," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.
Prior to this engagement, Swaraj held very constructive and cordial delegation-level talks to improve trade between the two nations with her Iranian counterpart Dr. Javad Zarif.
Both sides reviewed the bilateral relations, particularly the progress in implementing the decisions taken at the last Joint Commission Meeting held in New Delhi last year.
They agreed that pending agreements such as Preferential Trade Agreement, Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and Bilateral Investment Treaty should be concluded on a priority basis to accelerate trade and investment.
In the context of the economic partnership between India and Iran, both sides discussed the progress on the Chabahar project.
"Both sides agreed that the commercial contract on Chabahar as well as the modalities for extending $ 150 million credit for Chabahar Port should be signed in the very near future. Decisions on this line of credit, as well as $ 400 million credit line for supply of steel rails from India have already been taken by Government of India," Swarup said.
Both sides also discussed the energy partnership. Iran said that it would be happy to participate in the refinery sector in India.
"On Farzad - B, both sides took note of the constructive discussions held during the recent visit to Iran of MoS PNG. The Indian side welcomed the Iranian decision to keep the Farzad - B field outside the auction basket. The concerned companies have been directed to complete their contractual negotiations in a time bound manner. Iranian side had earlier communicated their gas pricing formula and expressed their desire for Indian investment in the Chabahar SEZ," Swarup said.
"In terms of connectivity, Iran said it fully supported India's desire to join the Ashgabat Agreement. The two ministers reviewed the progress made in the International North South Transport Corridor. IRCON from India would be visiting Iran for discussions on the Chabahar - Zahedan Railway link," the spokesperson added.
The two sides agreed that with the lifting of sanctions, the potential for expanding trade and investment ties was immense.
"They agreed that pending agreements such as Preferential Trade Agreement, Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and Bilateral Investment Treaty should be concluded on a priority basis," Swarup said.
During the discussions, Swaraj also raised issues of concern to the Indian community such as re-entry visas.
"On Consular issues, both sides expressed satisfaction on the release of fishermen and sailors in each other's jails. EAM raised issues of concern to the Indian community such as re-entry visas. She also took up difficulties faced by Indian sea-farers. Both ministers directed the Consular Committee to meet soon to resolve pending issues," Swarup said.
Both sides took note of the good cooperation between the National Security Council structures and agreed to intensify this engagement.
"In terms of cultural cooperation, given the civilizational links between India and Iran, both sides agreed to promote and strengthen the existing cultural exchanges, inter-alia, by observing Weeks of Iran and India in each other's country, publication of manuscripts, organizing conferences and events related to language, literature and religion," said Swarup.
"They also agreed to positively consider the establishment of a Hindi Chair in Tehran University sponsored by ICCR and to renew the Cultural Exchange Programme," he added.
Swaraj and Zarif expressed their satisfaction at the recent exchange of visits and called for more high-level exchanges to give fresh impetus to India-Iran relations.
Both leaders also reviewed the global and regional issues, in particular the situation in Afghanistan.
Swaraj, who is presently on a two-day bilateral visit to Iran, will call on President Hassan Rouhani Rouhani before departing for Moscow this evening for a meeting of Foreign Ministers of India, Russia and China to be held on April 18.
