Expansion of Indo-Iran relations can be the "best contribution" for regional development, a top Iranian official said today.
Describing India as a "top country" in the region with which post-sanctions Iran should look to expand ties, the country's Ambassador to India, Gholamreza Ansari, said there was a "great opportunity" for the two nations to expand ties.
"Definitely, that (growing bilateral ties) can be the best contribution for the security and development of the region," he said.
Addressing the inaugural summit of trade body United Economic Forum here, Ansari said that "during the difficult time of sanctions, our neighbours and regional countries were our best assets".
Now, in the post-sanctions era, Iran's focus will be on cooperation with neighbours and countries that were friendly during the "difficult" period of the past, he said, adding that India was top on that list.
Major world powers, including the USA and UK, had struck a historic deal in July with Iran that is aimed at ensuring that Tehran does not acquire a nuclear bomb in return for relief from sanctions.
Expressing Iran's intent to invest in oil and gas, fertilisers and petrochemicals in India, Ansari said that his country could also be useful for India in terms of connectivity.
"In connectivity, which brings countries together, Iran is the best access for India to Central Asia, Russia and Europe," he said, adding that Tehran was also looking to strike a partnership with New Delhi in the areas of mines and minerals and agricultural products.
Ansari recalled his country's links with Tamil Nadu, saying the state had received Iranian investment in oil as early as in 1965 in the then Madras Refineries Limited, now known as Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited.
He said Iran wanted to expand ties with both Tamil Nadu and the rest of India.
