Visiting Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj met and talked with Head of Strategic Research Center Ali Akbar Velayati on Sunday afternoon.
“Iran-India relations are deep-rooted and historical as the two countries possess numerous opportunities for international and regional bilateral collaborations,” Velayati told reporters following the session with the Indian FM.
He went on to add “India possesses great capacities and holds a demand for Iran’s energy; on the other hand, we perceive no limitations on expanding scientific, technological and economic ties.”
Velayati noted that good agreements have been made with India over important issues to the region’s security; “the visit of several delegations of the two sides has provided the ground for joint cooperation.”
The official said “transit cooperation between Iran and India was discussed during the meeting aiming to transfer goods from India to Iran and Afghanistan as well as to Central Asia in the next step and to all independent commonwealth countries in the final stage.”
“India has voiced eagerness to invest in Chabahar Free Trade Zone and the preliminary conditions have been prepared,” highlighted the official stressing “bilateral and intercontinental ties with India marks a giant leap in operationalizing Iran’s special look to the East.”
He deemed India as a major and precious indication of boosting ties with the East; “we have been informed of an upcoming visit to Tehran on the part of the Indian Prime Minister which will mark a turning point in the relations between the two parties.”
Touching upon S-300 missile systems, Velayati said “the delivery gives substance to the fact that Iran-Russia relations are being pursued seriously and the arrival of the in-time Russian long range surface-to-air missile systems will effectively help Iran to defend possible aggressions."
“Iran-Russia ties are at beginning stages while so far the two countries’ collaborations in Syria have been significant in overcoming ISIL and terrorists,” he emphasized.
Velayati further noted that “we perceive a bright future to the ties between Iran and Russia as they lead to peace and security in the region.”
Head of Strategic Research Center also referred to the security of Iranian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia saying “Saudis are obliged to provide safety for pilgrims regardless of their nationality and we hope negotiations with the Arab state will yield fruitful results.”
The official pointed to the recent visit to Turkey of the Iranian President stating “Mr. Rouhani’s trip was significant since Iran and Turkey, as two neighboring countries, have had long relations though certain problems might occur which need to be resolved with prudence of the two governments.”
“Iran’s President made a rightly visit to Turkey as it coincided with the OIC summit in Istanbul,” underlined Velayati concluding “despite certain interferences made by countries like Saudi Arabia, what matters is the cooperation between Islamic states and Iran’s presence in Turkey strengthened bilateral ties between the two countries.”
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