NEW DELHI (Dispatches) -- A senior Iranian official said on Saturday extremism and Takfiri terrorism threaten security in the Middle East, urging all countries to simultaneously engage in the fight against terrorism and the states sponsoring the scourge.
In a meeting with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit here, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani said the simultaneous campaign against terrorist groups and countries supporting them is the common duty of the international community with the purpose of protecting peace and stability.
He expressed Iran’s readiness to revive trilateral cooperation with India and Russia on security issues in the region, particularly on ways to prevent the spread of terrorism and help establish stability and security in Afghanistan.
The SNSC secretary emphasized that joint efforts should be made to solve any political and historical disputes among regional countries in a bid to prepare the necessary grounds for exploiting all regional capacities to enhance economic, social and cultural development.
Shamkhani further stressed the importance of exchanging views, adopting common stances and improving close cooperation between Tehran and New Delhi on issues of common interest.
He said some regional and global powers are not happy with close and constructive relations between Iran and India and urged the two countries to step up their vigilance and counter all obstacles to the expansion of ties.
The senior Iranian official further said that the resumption of activities at Iran-India joint defensive committee within a new and extensive framework would create an opportunity for the two sides to improve close cooperation in military and defensive sectors.
"Considering the successful record of defensive cooperation between the two countries, arriving at common strategic analyses and methods will be a step in the path of increasing regional capability to establish security and stability,” Shamkhani said.
The senior Iranian official arrived in New Delhi on Friday for an official two-day visit to hold talks with senior Indian authorities on leading regional and international political and security developments.
In a meeting between Shamkhani and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, the two officials discussed mutual ties in economic, political and cultural areas and regional and international developments, particularly the fight against terrorism.
Shamkhani said Iran and India have the potential to help put an end to crises in the Middle East and fight terrorism in the region.
"The constructive approaches and independent positions of Iran and India, as two regional powers, have prepared considerable grounds for cooperation in order to end regional disputes and crises and fight Takfiri terrorism.”
He criticized measures by certain regional countries for nurturing Daesh terrorists by supporting Takfiri ideologies and added that cooperation between Iran and India can prevent the infiltration of Takfiri groups into India’s Muslim community.
He added that relations between Tehran and New Delhi are impervious to a third party, saying, "Historic and constructive relations between the two countries have never been a threat to other countries and have never pursued an approach other than improving regional stability, security and development.”
The SNSC secretary also called for the adoption of joint measures to make up for the years-long delay in completing the Chabahar project.
He said the North-South Corridor and the key role of Chabahar port would lead to the development of transit projects and promotion of extensive economic interests for all countries in this region.
The Indian prime minister paid an official two-day visit to Iran on May 22 to boost economic and political ties with Tehran.
Concurrent with Modi’ visit, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani also traveled to Iran to join the signing of a key trilateral deal, known as the Chabahar agreement, to establish a strategic transit and transport route connecting the three countries.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, the Indian prime minister and the Afghan president in the Iranian capital of Tehran on May 23.
The Chabahar agreement is expected to create a regional trade, investment and transportation hub with links from the Indian Ocean to Central Asia.
In 2003, Iran and India agreed to develop the port, which sits on the Gulf of Oman. The project was, however, suspended following the imposition of sanctions against Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program.
In May 2014, India and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop the port once the international sanctions against Iran were lifted.
Modi said terrorism and extremism pose the most pressing threat to humanity.
He stressed the importance of effectively fighting the Takfiri terrorism and added that in addition to the expansion of economic and political cooperation, Tehran and New Delhi should also put the campaign against terrorism on their agenda.