Iran-India Trade: Conference Explores Potentials for Further Expansion

Date: 03 May 2025 - 21:47

News ID: ۱۳۹۱۳۸

TEHRAN - A conference on trade potential between Iran and India, held during a major foreign trade exhibition in the Iranian capital, Tehran, has explored growing opportunities for bilateral commercial ties.
The “Opportunities and Capacities for Trade between Iran and India” event took place on the sidelines of the Iran Expo 2025 exhibition that showcases the Islamic Republic’s export products.
The event, organized by the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran, witnessed keynote speakers displaying a shared commitment to expanding the country’s commercial exchanges.
Key attendants at the conference included Hossein Bamiri, Iran’s commercial attaché to New Delhi, and Khalid Khan, a member of the Iranian Business Center in Mumbai. Several commercial delegations from both nations had also joined the event.
In his opening address, Bamiri highlighted the quality of trade between Iran and India. He noted that, over the past decade, most of Iran’s exports to India had been concentrated in a limited range of products such as dates, pistachios, almonds, and petrochemical goods.
He pointed out the lack of diversity in Iran’s export basket to India, stressing that the trade volume between the countries had not yet aligned with their commercial capacities.
“Iran can not only export consumer goods to India, but also include service exports on its agenda. This expansion can be facilitated by increasing the presence of Iranian traders at international exhibitions,” the Iranian diplomat also noted.
Bamiri further emphasized the importance of globalizing the structure of Iranian companies, urging Iranian traders and producers to familiarize themselves with international trade models.
He called for effective marketing strategies and regular participation in international events to ensure that Iranian businesses remained competitive and connected on the global stage.
Khan, for his part, expressed a shared vision for the future of trade between the countries.
“We aim to open a new chapter in the trade relationship between Iran and India, sharing the capabilities of both nations on a larger scale,” he remarked.
He also highlighted the strategic importance of the southern Iranian Chabahar Port, stating that the port could serve as a gateway to greater trade opportunities between the nations.
Khan also stressed that the right policies and collaboration at the appropriate time would be crucial to realizing this potential.
Also attending the event, Masoud Ebrahim Shah, former advisor to the prime minister of Malaysia, underscored India’s vast export opportunities. He described the country’s future as unparalleled and called exhibition platforms an ideal base for furthering global trade relations.
According to Shah, these platforms were critical for fostering stronger international trade connections and realizing the potential for long-term growth.
The commercial relationship between Iran and India has steadily grown over recent years, with significant developments in areas such as energy, trade, and infrastructure.
Notably, the strategic importance of the Chabahar Port in southeastern Iran, which provides direct access to the Indian Ocean, has been a focal point for enhancing trade connectivity between the countries.
In addition to goods, both nations have expressed interest in expanding cooperation in areas such as services, technology, and investment.
As part of broader efforts to bolster economic ties, Iran and India have continued to focus on mutually beneficial policies that could drive further growth.
India has long been one of Iran’s top trading partners, and the nations share common interests in regional stability and economic prosperity.
The countries cele brated 75 years of diplomatic relations in March, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasizing the enduring nature of their ties and noting that their collaboration had been instrumental in fostering mutual growth and cooperation.
In February, during the 8th Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat, Oman, Araghchi and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar reaffirmed their dedication to enhancing comprehensive relations based on common interests.
They highlighted the successful 19th round of political consultations held in New Delhi and underscored the importance of continued close consultations between the countries.
A significant development in the bilateral ties occurred in May 2024 when Iran and India signed a 10-year agreement to develop and operate the Chabahar Port.
Under the deal, India invested $120 million in strategic equipment and $250 million in transport infrastructure.
The partnership aims to enhance regional connectivity and facilitate transit along the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), benefiting both nations and the broader region.