Iran, India discuss tech cooperation to form regional digital hub
Iran’s Communications and Information Technology Minister Sattar Hashemi said technological cooperation between Iran and India could lead to the formation of a regional digital power hub, during an official visit to India and a meeting on Wednesday with India’s Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasad.
“Today, India is one of the main global software hubs that has been able to create and export significant capacities in information technology, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity to the world,” IRNA quoted Hashemi as saying.
“Iran, with its strong human force and scientific infrastructure, has also taken important steps in developing new technologies, and technological cooperation between Iran and India, given the historical background and current capacities of the two countries, can lead to the formation of a digital power hub in the region,” he added.
Hashemi identified expanding private-sector engagement between the two countries as a top priority, adding that Iran is keen to “start operational cooperation in areas such as developing native Large Language Models (LLMs), creating joint AI platforms in the agriculture sector, and establishing innovation centers to apply artificial intelligence across various fields.”
The minister also stressed the importance of securing critical data infrastructure in the coming years and announced Iran’s readiness to exchange experience on cyber threats, countering emerging malware, and strengthening financial infrastructure security. He described India’s capacity to train specialized human resources as an important opportunity.
Hashemi also proposed creating a joint fund to support Iranian and Indian startups, holding joint technology events, talent-exchange programs, allocating special zones in the technology parks of both countries, and facilitating issuance of “tech visas” for IT specialists as practical paths to expand cooperation.
Prasad said at the meeting, “India is ready to share its experiences in the fields of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and training specialized human resources with Iran and to begin operational cooperation on joint technology projects.”
“Creating joint innovation centers and specialist exchange programs can accelerate technology development in both countries and help strengthen digital infrastructure and improve data security,” he added.
According to the report, Hashemi traveled to New Delhi as part of a technology diplomacy program and to attend the global “AI Impact 2026” summit, aiming to present Iran’s capabilities in artificial intelligence and pursue bilateral and multilateral cooperation in this field.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026, attended by more than 110 countries, 30 international organizations, and 45 ministerial-level delegations, is being held from Feb. 16 to 20, at the Bharat Mandapam convention center in New Delhi.