TEHRAN (ECOIDEAL)- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a meeting in New Delhi underscored their willingness to strengthen the two countries' long-term strategic cooperation.
"The transit ties between the two countries will create multilateral and regional capacities in cooperation with the regional states and we are ready for trilateral and multilateral contracts so that this transit route from Chabahar will turn into a strategic route to consolidate regional ties," President Rouhani said during the meeting on Saturday.
He underscored that Tehran can meet India's energy needs within the framework of long-term strategic contracts, and said the Indian companies could partner in Iran's energy, desalination of water, solar energy and agricultural projects as well as building IT parks.
Modi, for his part, stressed New Delhi's enthusiasm for long-term cooperation with Tehran in all fields and the Indian companies' willingness to invest in Iran's oil and gas sector.
He also emphasized the importance of Chabahar port to develop regional cooperation, and said, "We have already started exports of our products, including wheat, to Afghanistan through Chabahar port."
In relevant remarks earlier today, President Rouhani in a meeting with Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi underlined the need for broadening of mutual cooperation between the two countries in a bid to help strengthen security and stability in the region.
"Strengthening of Iran-India cooperation on regional issues can reinforce the pillars of security and stability in the entire region," President Rouhani said during the meeting with Swaraj in the Indian capital.
The Iranian president reiterated that Tehran considers no restrictions to cooperation with India, and will welcome any initiative that might help the two countries expand their relations.
Rouhani started his visit of India at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with an initial stop in the Southern city of Hyderabad on Thursday, arrived in the capital, New Delhi on Friday night.
The Iranian president is heading a political and economic delegation, including Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and a number of representatives from the Iranian private sector.
Source: Farsnews