India agrees with Iran in completing Chabahar Port development
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Tehran: External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar met his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian on Monday and discussed the follow-up on building the key port of Chabahar and the North-South connectivity project, PTI reported.
Mr Jaishankar, who is in Tehran as part of the ongoing high-level exchanges between the two sides, also called on Iranian President Dr Ebrahim Raisi and conveyed the greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Held wide ranging discussions today in Tehran with Iranian FM @Amirabdolahian. Our bilateral discussion focused on the long term framework for India's involvement with Chabahar port and the INSTC connectivity project," Mr Jaishankar said in a post on X.
India has been closely monitoring the unfolding situation in the Red Sea. The issue figured in a phone conversation between Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday.
The Indian Navy has already enhanced the deployment of its frontline ships and surveillance aircraft for maritime security operations in view of the maritime environment in the critical sea lanes, including the North and Central Arabian Sea.
Earlier on Monday, Mr Jaishankar began his engagements in Iran by meeting Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash during which the two sides held a detailed and "productive" discussion on establishing a long-term cooperation framework on the strategically vital Chabahar port.
Mr Jaishankar also exchanged views on the International North-South Transport Corridor with Mr Bazrpash.
"Began my engagements in Tehran by meeting the Minister of Roads and Urban Development @mehrdadbazrpash. Detailed and productive discussion on establishing a long-term cooperation framework with respect to Chabahar port. Also exchanged views on the International North-South Transport Corridor," he said in another post on X.
Mr Bazrpash and Mr Jaishankar have reached a final agreement to develop Chabahar port in southeastern Iran, the country's state-run IRNA news agency reported.