Chabahar port, prisoners feature in India-Iran talks

Though the details of what Zarif discussed with Indian officials remain sparse-there were no major joint declarations issued-it is likely that the two sides discussed ways to expand their cooperation in light of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear program, which will largely open up Iran’s economy after years of crippling economic sanctions.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the development of a key Iran-based port project during their meeting in the Indian capital New Delhi on Friday. I requested him for waiver of US$ 2.9 million fine imposed on them and for their early release… Iran was India’s second largest supplier of crude just four years ago but now barely makes the top 10 among oil import sources for New Delhi.

Zarif will meet his Indian counterpart, prime minister, shipping and road minister, vice-president and several other high-ranking officials in New Delhi.

He pointed to Iran-India relations, and said, ‘Iran has had very good relations with India as a big regional country and a member-state of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Tehran on Thursday.

Mr. Zarif said it was necessary that Iran and India work with Afghanistan, and also Pakistan to fight the common threat of Da’esh or the IS in the region.

Mr Zarif conveyed that Iran considered India its strategic partner and could not forget the support India extended to Iran during its hard times. Modi agreed to visit Iran at mutually convenient dates. New Delhi also sees a port in Chabahar as a strategic counterweight to China’s pursuit of a civilian port facility in the Pakistani coastal city of Gwadar.

“In this context there was a discussion on Farzad B. An Indian company (OVL) had successfully discovered the field and it is our expectation that it will get the opportunity to develop it”, he added.

Both the ministers also emphasised on the early conclusion of India-Iran-Afghanistan Transit agreement for realising the full potential of the port, it said.

“Connectivity is also an important part of the economic relationship”. When Modi met Iranian Prime Minister Hassan Rouhani in Ufa, both leaders spoke about increasing Indian investments in Iran. Proposals were also made to move ahead rapidly on a Preferential Trading Agreement, and a Business-to-Business platform.

All in all, Zarif’s visit will provide a significant fillip to the strengthening of our long standing ties with Iran, Swarup said.