Tehran: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said the Chabahar-Central Asia transit route is beneficial to both nations. "It will strengthen the grounds for cooperation."
He added that the relations between Tehran and New Delhi are "friendly and cordial." Speaking after a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he noted the development of the interactions with the country as one of the priorities of Iran's foreign policy, reported ANI.
A press release by the Iranian Ministry stated that using the existing capacities in the oil and gas industry and transportation, especially the Chabahar-Central Asia transit route can provide a suitable ground for improving the level of relations and expanding the ground of cooperation between the two nations. It added that cooperation in regional and international issues Tehran and New Delhi is concerned about can also help.
Raisi added that Iran always respects India's independent figures like Mahatma Gandhi who stood against arrogance. He further said cruel sanctions could not interrupt the progress of Iran in various scientific and industrial fields.
Prime Minister Modi said that the development of Chabahar Port will contribute to the economic development of the countries in the region. He added that the common positions of Iran and India regarding the developments in Afghanistan call for further Tehran-Delhi international and regional cooperation.
The two leaders met at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Samarkand and discussed energy ties. Modi tweeted after the meeting: "Held wide-ranging discussions with President Ebrahim Raisi. We talked about the growing India-Iran friendship and the scope to boost ties in sectors like energy, commerce, and connectivity."
Iran is a newly minted member of SCO, and it is expected to boost India's Eurasian outreach. New Delhi has stated that the entry of Iranian oil into the market will address global energy security to an extent.
The Middle-Eastern country is crucial to India's plans to increase engagement with Central Asia. The value of Iran's exports to India increased by 35% in the first seven months of 2022. India's export to Iran has also risen 54% to stand at $1.243 billion as opposed to $807 million in the first seven months of 2021.