India, Iran discuss Chabahar Port, Afghanistan

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian acknowledged the significance of bilateral cooperation in the field of regional connectivity and reviewed the progress made at the Shahid Beheshti terminal, Chabahar port.
Both sides agreed that the Chabahar Port has provided much needed sea access to landlocked Afghanistan and has also emerged as a commercial transit hub for the region, including for Central Asia. They reaffirmed their commitment to continue to cooperate on the development of Chabahar Port.
Teams from both countries will be meeting soon to address operational aspects.
India and Iran share close historical and civilizational ties. Our bilateral relations are marked by strong linkages across institutions, culture and people to people ties, an official statement said.
During the delegation level talks, the two Ministers discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations including political, cultural and people to people ties. EAM appreciated the role of Iran in facilitating India’s medical assistance to Afghanistan, including supply of COVID-19 vaccines to Afghan nationals residing in Iran.
The Ministers also discussed international and regional issues, including Afghanistan and the sides reaffirmed the importance of providing immediate humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan and reiterated the need for a representative and inclusive political system in support of a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan.
The Iranian Foreign Minister briefed EAM on the current situation pertaining to the JCPOA. The two Ministers also exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict and its repercussions.
During the visit, the Iranian Foreign Minister called-on Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and also held a meeting with the National Security Advisor, Ajit Kumar Doval.
An Iranian readout of the talks said the Iranian FM held “two rounds of talks” with his Indian counterpart.
In the meeting, a broad range of issues of mutual interest between the two countries in strategic, political, economic and cultural spheres were discussed.
Amirabdollahian pointed to the fact that the economies of Iran and India complement each other and also to the existence of huge potential for expansion of trade and economic relations between the two countries.
The Iranian foreign minister underlined the necessity of coming up with a roadmap to promote comprehensive and vast strategic ties between Tehran and New Delhi.
He said that preparing a roadmap for strategic cooperation can regulate long-term bilateral ties and protect the relations from detrimental factors.
Expansion of regional cooperation and the two countries’ efforts to heed peace and stability in Afghanistan were among the issues the two top diplomats discussed.
They underscored the need to help Afghanistan pass through the current economic hardships. They also noted that the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan is the most important approach to persuading all ethnic groups and factions of Afghanistan to play a role in deciding their country’s fate.
EAM Jaishankar said Amirabdollahian’s visit to India was important for pursuing existing issues in bilateral ties. Jaishankar underlined the necessity of holding the meeting of the joint economic commission as soon as possible and to give momentum to economic and trade cooperation between Tehran and New Delhi, the Iranian readout said.
He further described the formation of working groups to follow up the affairs as necessary.
The top Indian diplomat in other comments also spoke about the need to give momentum to cooperation in expanding Chabahar Port and other transit routes and common regional corridors.
In the end, the two foreign ministers underscored the continuation of consultations between Indian and Iranian officials at different levels to provide a roadmap for strategic cooperation.
An Iranian readout of his meeting with NSA Ajit Doval said, Amir Abdollahian referred to the wide areas available for developing cooperation between the two countries “regardless of third and opposing factors”.
Welcoming the proposals of the Indian official to further expand relations, especially in the field of transportation through the South and North corridors, especially the use of Chabahar port, investment, trade, education and research and development, he said that Iran has no restrictions to expanding relations with India.
Describing the security and military relations between the two countries as appropriate, he called for developing cooperation and using capacities to counter terrorism at the bilateral and regional levels and to help the people of Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Doval stressed the need for comprehensive expansion of relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and India.
He welcomed the progress made in bilateral relations, and emphasized the proposal to form a strategic committee to expand relations in all fields.
He expressed the Indian Government readiness to develop relations at all levels in bilateral, multilateral, regional and international dimensions.
“Referring to the negative atmosphere created by some people in disrespecting the holy Prophet of Islam, the Indian NSA reiterated the respect of the Indian government and officials for the Prophet saying that it will be treated as a lesson for others.
(UNI)