President Rouhani: Iranian, Indian Economies Complete Each Other
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday underlined the opening of a new chapter in ties between Tehran and New Delhi, saying that the two countries share a lot of common interests.
In a meeting with Indian Minister of Shipping, Road Transport, and Highways Nitin Gadkari in Tehran, Rouhani hailed the friendly and historical relations between the two nations, saying that bilateral ties would definitely increase every day.
The Iranian president urged the expansion of trade exchange between the two countries, saying that the economies of Iran and India can complete each other.
He also referred to Iran-India joint project to develop Chabahar port in southeastern Iran, and described it as the opening of a new chapter in bilateral relations.
“We welcome the presence of Indian investors in the development of Chabahar port and other southern ports as well as the construction of roads and railroads,” Rouhani added.
The Indian minister, for his part, officially expressed his country’s willingness to develop Chabahar port, adding, “New Delhi is interested to have an active presence in Iran in the fields of ports, roads, and railroads, and we believe that cooperation in Chabahar port can help increase bilateral economic ties.”
Gadkari also submitted the written message of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to President Rouhani.
Earlier on Tuesday, it was announced that India will push ahead this week with plans to build a port in Chabahar, with Prime Minister Modi keen to develop trade ties with Central Asia and prepared to fend off US pressure not to rush into any deals with Iran.
In the past few years, India and Iran have been working towards developing energy and economic cooperation. India is among Asia's major importers of energy and relies on Iran to meet a portion of its energy demand.