Iran prez arrives in India today

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will begin his three-day visit to India, beginning Thursday, and discuss issues of mutual interest with PM Narendra Modi to take forward the strong diplomatic ties. He will be landing in Hyderabad on Thursday where he will address a gathering of Muslim intellectuals and clerics before meeting the prime minister in Delhi.

According to reports, the Iranian President will seek financial aid amid US pressure to re-impose sanction on Iran.

The development of the strategically important Chabahar Port by India is also likely to be taken up. The port will also allow a transit route from India to Iran and Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan.

According to the Tri Lateral Transit Agreement signed between India, Iran and Afghanistan, New Delhi will invest $85 million to develop the port. This was part of the agreements signed during Modi’s visit to Iran in 2016.

This is Rouhani’s first visit after taking charge in 2013. “During the forthcoming visit of the president of Iran, both sides would review the progress achieved in bilateral relations and also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest,” the ministry said in a release.

According to the external affairs ministry, India-Iran bilateral trade during the fiscal year 2016-17 was $12.89 billion. India imported $10.5 billion worth of goods, mainly crude oil, and exported commodities worth $2.4 billion.

Apart from holding extensive talks with Modi and other Indian leaders on key bilateral and regional issues, the Iranian leader is also scheduled to deliver a special address at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) on Saturday in the Capital.

BILATERAL TALKS

Rouhani will land at the Begumpet Airport around 4pm on Thursday. On February 16, the president will address the weekly congregation at Mecca Masjid after offering Friday prayers