New Delhi [India], February 10 (ANI): India is “most important to Iran” and the recent cordial meeting between Tehran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is proof of this, Irani Ambassador to India Iraj Elahi said. Addressing the event on the occasion of the 44th Anniversary of the victory of the Islamic revolution of Iran, Elahi said the Chabahar port, with which India is highly involved, is considered the “Golden Gateway.”
” Undoubtedly, India is the most important for the Islamic Republic of Iran. The recent cordial meeting of His Excellency President Raisi and Prime Minister Modi in Samarkand in 2022, in addition to the regular visit of high-ranking officials of the two countries, is proof of this. My dear friends, I am proud to announce that the commonalities and historical ties of the two nations, plus the independent approaches of both countries, as well as the complementary economic capacities of Iran and India, have turned them into national partners. Due to good political relations and the strength of the strong will of the authorities of the two governments, trade relations have tremendously increased,” he said.
“Energy has always been an important part of the trade relationship between Iran and India, although external pressures have caused problems in this field in recent years. But we believe that India‘s strategic autonomy is still the biggest support for the continuation of this cooperation. Connectivity has been and is another field of cooperation between Iran and India. In this regard, chabahar Port is considered the Golden Gateway connecting the countries along the Indian Ocean to Central Asia and the Caucasus. The increase in logistics, costs, and aggravation of the regional crisis has made the development and operation of this port and the activation of the North-South Corridor more necessary for the two countries here,” he added.
The Iranian Ambassador said 44 years ago, the Islamic revolution took place and successfully toppled Shah regime and established a system, which allows the people to determine their political and social destiny through democratic mechanisms. He further stated that in the last four decades, the Iranian people and the government “have gone through many conspiracy and problems, including imposed war, economic sanctions or economic terrorism, and maximum pressure and recently hybrid war” but with the help of national unity and wise leadership, the country has been able to emerge in scientific, economic, and technological fields.
Talking about the literacy rate, Elahi said, “Today, the literacy rate in Iran is above 95 per cent and Iran has ranked 16th among 200 countries in the world. In terms of scientific achievement, the Islamic Revolution has also had an effective role in empowering Iranian women. Currently, 55 per cent of students, 40 per cent of doctors, and 33 of professors in universities are women.”
“The foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran has been based on the principles and values of the Islamic Revolution. So Iran‘s international arena is defending peace and justice, rationality, and independence and rejecting discrimination, aggression, and foreign intervention. Accordingly, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been with the oppressed nation of the world, including the people of Palestine. The Islamic Republic of Iran has paid a heavy spiritual and material prize with its heroic efforts at the forefront of the fight against the sinister phenomena of terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking. One of the results of the Islamic Revolution has been the strengthening of relations with neighboring countries and long-standing partners,” he added. The event was also attended by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. (ANI)
Looking for investment from India, activation of Chabahar port: Iran envoy Iraj Ilahi
By Sahil Pandey |
New Delhi [India], February 10 (ANI): Iran‘s ambassador to India Iraj Ilahi on Friday said his country is looking for more investment from New Delhi and the activation of Chabahar port. “Concerning connectivity, India & Iran are partners in Chabahar. We’re looking for investment from India and activation of Chabahar. India & Iran are the main founders & partners of the North-South international corridor. We’re looking forward to the future,” Illahi told ANI.
Iranian envoy mentioned that Iran and India have a long-standing relationship throughout history. “Energy and connectivity are 2 key pillars of our ties. We believe that despite the sanctions, autonomic strategies of India are a key support for restarting cooperation & trade in energy,” he added
He added that Iran, India, and Russia are the main partners of the North-South international corridor.
Speaking at the 44th anniversary of the Islamic revolution of Iran, Illahi said, “India is of special importance to the Republic of Iran. The recent cordial meeting between the President of Iran and PM Modi is proof of this.”
Iranian envoy called India and Iran as natural partners citing the historical ties between the two countries. “The commonalities & historical ties of India & Iran and their independent approaches, as well as their complimentary economic capacities, have turned them into natural partners,” he said.
Illahi mentioned that Energy has been an important area, and external pressure is there but India‘s strategic autonomy is still the biggest support for the continuation of this cooperation. Connectivity has been another field of cooperation between Iran and India.
The chief guest at the event, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, said, “India and Iran share incomparable civilisational links. It is believed that Indians and Iranians belonged to one family before the Indo-Aryan civilization and lived together with one common language.” “There seems little doubt that the Indus valley civilization had contact with the contemporary civilization of Iran. There was trade between the coast of southern Iran and India through the Persian gulf and the Arabian sea. This link grew as our civilization progressed,” he added.
Sonowal added that India and Iran are strong partners in the region for enhancing connectivity through the international North-South transportation corridors. “INSTC holds a promising future and Chabahar port will play a vital role in the corridor,” he added. (ANI)
