Rajnath Singh meets his Iranian counterpart in Tehran
Tehran: Amid tumultuous geopolitics and to give an impetus in bilateral ties, India and Iran have discussed ways to take forward the bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional security issues, including peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh held the meeting with his Iranian counterpart Brigadier General Amir Hatami in Tehran.
Brigadier Hatami had requested for a meeting with Mr Singh while he was was on a transit halt in Tehran enroute from Moscow to New Delhi.
“The meeting between the two leaders took place in a cordial and warm atmosphere,” the defence ministry said.
Had a very fruitful meeting with Iranian defence minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami in Tehran. We discussed regional security issues including Afghanistan and the issues of bilateral cooperation . pic.twitter.com/8ZENfAgRPS
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 6, 2020
Both the leaders emphasized upon the age-old cultural, linguistic and civilizational ties between India and Iran.
During the combined meeting of defence ministers of the SCO, the Collective Security Treaty Organisation and the Commonwealth of Independent States member states, Mr Singh had called for greater dialogue between the countries in the Persian Gulf.
“India has vital interests and links of civilisation and culture with all States in the [Persian] Gulf,” he had said.
“We call upon countries in the region — all of which are dear and friendly to India, to resolve differences by dialogue based on mutual respect, sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs of each other,” he added.
Iran is an observer country of the SCO grouping.
Mr Singh’s visit to Iran is significant in view of India considering the country as part of its extended neighbourhood and it also has wide ranging interests from energy to security to connectivity.
While Iran has recently signed a mega deal with China, Tehran and Delhi continue to cooperate in strategically located Chabahar Ports and are trying to expedite conclusion of Preferential Trade Agreement to enhance business ties.
The Chabahar port project where India has berths provides connectivity to Afghanistan and Central Asian countries.
This was also the first visit to Iran by any Indian minister since the killing of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps's Qasem Soleimani by American earlier this year.
Iran remains India’s gateway to Central Asia, Afghanistan and Eurasia.
