PM Modi, Rouhani exchange views on developments during bilateral talks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani discussed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest during ir bilateral meeting here. Modi met Rouhani on sidelines of high-level 74th Session of General Assembly on Thursday and discussed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.

two leers assessed progress in bilateral relations

According to an official press release, Prime Minister reiterated India's support for giving priority to diplomacy, dialogue and confidence-building in interest of maintaining peace, security and stability in Gulf region, which is of vital importance for India. ting that India and Iran shared old and civilizational ties, two leers assessed progress in bilateral relations since ir first meeting in Russian city of Ufa in 2015. y especially mentioned overcapitalization of Chabahar Port and ted its importance as a gateway to and for landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asian region. During meeting, it was agreed to mark 70th Anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations in 2020.

RE | SAARC without Pakistan becomes a reality in New York in 2019

Views were exchanged on situation in region

India-Iran meeting was keenly awaited as it comes amid escalating face-off between Iran and US on Tehran's nuclear programme. Iran is also accused by US and its allies of attacking two key oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, triggering a new phase of tensions in region. two leers "discussed bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on situation in region," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. two leers could t hold a planned meeting on sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in June this year due to scheduling issues.

RE | PM Modi's UNGA speech schedule out, will speak before Imran Khan

India, world's third-biggest oil consumer, meets more than 80 per cent of its oil needs through imports. Iran was its third-largest supplier after Iraq and Saudi Arabia till recently. six-month-long exemptions from US sanctions to India and seven or countries to buy oil from Iran expired on May 2 as Washington did t extend it.

Indo-Iran ties on an upswing in past few years

Indo-Iran ties have been on an upswing in past few years. Modi visited Tehran in May 2016 with an aim to craft a strategic relationship with Iran and expand India's ties with West Asia. During visit, India and Iran signed nearly a dozen agreements, centrepiece of which was a deal on development of strategic Chabahar port. Later, India, Iran and Afghanistan signed a trilateral agreement providing for transport of goods among three countries through port. In February 2018, Rouhani visited India, becoming first Iranian President to visit India in a dece. During his visit, two sides signed a dozen agreements. 

RE | India slams UK's Labour Party for Kashmir resolution

RE | Chandrayaan 2 orbiter in good shape, K Sivan gives an update