NEW DELHI (Dispatches) – Iran’s Foreign Minister Hussein Amir-Abdollahian on Wednesday arrived here to a “warm welcome” to hold talks with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on a three-day visit with an aim to further enhance bilateral ties.
“Foreign Minister of Iran Dr. Hussein Amir-Abdollahian arrives to a warm welcome in India. The visit will further boost our deep historical ties and partnership,” Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson for the ministry of external affairs, wrote on Twitter.
“The visit to India is aimed at expanding ties between the two countries and holding strategic consultations over cooperation regarding regional issues and international developments,” Iran’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
The minister planned to hold talks with senior officials, meet religious scholars and local figures, as well as Iranian business people and expatriates. His itinerary also includes visits to Mumbai and Hyderabad.
“Relations between Tehran and New Delhi are at a very good level. We are witnessing growth and development of comprehensive relations, including in the economic and cultural fields, and exchange of delegations between the two countries, ever since the new administration took office” in Iran, Amir-Abdollahian told reporters upon arrival.
“Besides meetings with Prime Minister [Narendra Modi] and National Security Advisor [Ajit Kumar Doval], I will have an in-depth conversation with my counterpart today,” he said.
The Iranian foreign minister explained that he had reached an agreement with his Indian counterpart in Tehran earlier this year to draw up a roadmap for long-term cooperation between the two countries.
He is the first visit to India by a senior minister of a member nation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation after the controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad (Peace upon Him) triggered outrage in the Arab world and soon spread to other Muslim-majority countries.
Amir-Abdollahian touched on the controversial remarks, saying the Indian government has taken a stance and categorically condemned them.
“India has long been following the path of peaceful coexistence, and adherents of all religions have lived there in peace and tranquility,” the Iranian foreign minister said, noting that Muslims cannot accept desecration of the Prophet of Islam in any way.
“We expected to hear Indian leaders speak out about peaceful coexistence of all religions and sects, as we have seen throughout the country’s history. We hope Indian authorities will reiterate this stance in the talks,” Amir-Abdollahian said.
India’s relations with Iran are unique and historic. Iran is an important partner and a close neighbor.
During 2021-22, there was an intensification in bilateral engagement. Jaishankar visited Tehran twice and held constructive meetings with the Iranian leadership.
The two countries continued their engagement in the field of healthcare, and a meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on health was held in April 2021.
Jaishankar visited Iran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the President-elect Ebrahim Raisi. He visited Tehran at the invitation of the government of Iran.
He held constructive meetings with the top Iranian leadership and discussed several issues, including the development of Shahid Behesti Terminal in Chabahar.
India and Iran have been jointly focusing on improving connectivity between South East Asia and Central Asia. Located in the Sistan-Baluchistan province on Iran’s southern coast, Chabahar port is expected to become a key regional transit hub. It is being developed by India, Iran and Afghanistan to boost connectivity and trade ties.
India started interacting with Iran on Chabahar around 2003 but a major push was received in the second half of 2014, resulting in the signing of an MOU between the two countries for the development of the port in May 2015.