Envoy: Improved economic bonds ‘effective catalysts’ for better India-Iran ties
Chabahar deal signifies boost in Tehran-New Delhi relations: Iran’s acting FM
Improved economic inter-linkages are effective catalysts for better political relations between India and Iran, said Indian Ambassador to Iran Rudra Gaurav Shresth.
Speaking at a ceremony to celebrate the 78th Independence Day of the Republic of India in Tehran on Thursday evening, Ambassador Shresth noted that, “As we commence work on enhancing the capacity of Chabahar Port, we hope that this project will lead to progressive increase in economic exchanges between South Asia, Central Asia and West Asia, and also with the wider Eurasian region.”
Every year, 15th of August is celebrated as the day of independence from the British rule in India that lasted for an official 100 years.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the envoy stated that, “Our leadership looks forward to working constructively with the newly elected Iranian administration for advancing our bilateral relations and contributing to regional prosperity, connectivity, and stability.”
Referring to developments during the past months, Shresth said we were witness to a remarkable frequency of high-level exchanges and visits.
“In July last year, our Deputy National Security Advisor was in Iran for a trilateral meeting between Iran, India and Russia on operationalizing the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC). In November 2023, our Foreign Secretary visited for bilateral consultations with his counterpart. In January 2024, External Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar held extensive discussions in Tehran with late foreign minister Amir-Abdollahian, with late president Raisi, with Transport Minister Dr. Bazrpash, and with the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Dr. Ahmadian,” he
noted.
The Indian diplomat went on to say that without doubt, the highlight of our bilateral engagement this year was the visit of our Minister for Shipping and Ports on May 13 for the signature of the long-term contract for joint development of Chabahar Port.
“High-level visits are often an indicator of the diplomatic importance and priority accorded by a country to another, and I think you would agree that the frequency and stature of the Indian visitors to Iran over the past year illustrate how critical a partner we regard the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he noted.
The ceremony was also attended by Ali Baqeri, the acting Iranian foreign minister, as well as a number of other ambassadors to Iran.
Speaking at the event, Baqeri expressed his congratulations on the 78th Independence Day of the Republic of India and said cultural and civilizational commonalities are always an important and trust-building support for the promotion of all-round relations between Iran and India.
Iran highlights India’s important position in its foreign policy and emphasizes its readiness to take steps towards strengthening relations based on mutual respect and interests, the acting FM noted.
The support of the high officials of the two countries for the development of bilateral relations is not a secret to anyone, Baqeri stated adding that one of the examples is the Chabahar Port contract, which was signed in May.
Iran and India have been making efforts to improve relations in recent years.
In May, the two countries signed a 10-year contract for operation and equipment of the southern Iranian port city of Chabahar as part of plans to further boost their bilateral trade and economic relations.
Under the agreement, Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization will hand over parts of the freight and container terminals of the Shahid Beheshti Port of Chabahar to India for 10 years while India invests $120 million for the supply of strategic equipment of the port and $250 million on the transport infrastructure of Chabahar.