Live updates: India, Iran ink 9 agreements; PM Modi says we want 'neighbours free of terrorism'
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrived in New Delhi from Hyderabad on Friday evening
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held "substantive" talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to boost cooperation in key areas of security, trade and energy, after which the two sides inked nine pacts, including one on double taxation avoidance.
The two leaders also deliberated on regional situations during their wide-ranging talks.
"Both leaders held substantive & productive discussion on cooperation in trade & investment, energy, connectivity, defence & security & regional issues," External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
Addressing a joint press event with Rouhani, Modi said the visit by the Iranian president shows how the two sides want to deepen cooperation in key areas, including connectivity.
PM Modi also appreciated the way the Iranian leader provided leadership in developing strategically-important Chabahar Port.
Apart from tax pact, the two sides also exchanged instrument to ratify the extradition treaty as well as to simplify visa process.
Earlier, Rouhani was given a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
In the morning, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on Rouhani and discussed various issues with him.
On Friday, the Iranian president addressed a congregation of Muslims after performing Friday prayers at the historic Makkah Masjid in Hyderabad.
Rouhani said the current century belongs to Asia where New Delhi and Tehran have an important role to play.
He emphasised on the importance of the Chabahar port in his country, saying it will open up the transit route for India to Iran, Afghanistan (bypassing Pakistan), Central Asian countries and also Europe.
Rouhani lauded India's cultural diversity, saying multiple faiths and schools of thought co-exist peacefully in the county.
Here are live updates of Rouhani's India visit:
Latest Updates
We share views on 2 crucial issues - transit & economy. We want to develop railway relations between the 2 countries & are seeing development of Chabahar Port: Iran President Hassan Rouhani
The relations between the two countries goes beyond trade & business, it goes back in history: Iran President Hassan Rouhani
The kindness accorded to us by the great govt of India, I once again thank the people and the govt of India for this: Iran President Hassan Rouhani
The two countries want to see our neighbour Afghanistan safe and prosper. We want to see our neighbours free of terrorism: PM Narendra Modi
PM Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani jointly release the postal stamps marking the economic and trade relations between the two countries
I thank you for the way you provided leadership in developing Chabahar Port: PM Narendra Modi to Iran President Dr Hassan Rouhani
I travelled to Tehran in 2016 and now when you come here now, it deepens & strengthens our relationships: PM Modi
Our cultural and civilisational relation is thousands of years old: PM Modi in joint statement with Iran President
India, Iran sign 9 MoUs
PM Modi, Iran President Hassan Rouhani held substantive & productive discussion on cooperation in trade & investment, energy, connectivity, defence & security & regional issues: MEA
EAM Sushma Swaraj calls on Iran President Hassan Rouhani
Delegation level talks between India and Iran underway at Hyderabad House
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani with PM Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House
Iran is willing to further simplify visa procedure (for Indians) and I am hopeful the Indian government, too, will look into it for better relations between the people of India and Iran: Rouhani on Friday ahead of talks with PM Modi
Addressing a Muslim congregation at the historic Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad after offering Friday prayers, Rouhani emphasised on the importance of the Chabahar port in Iran, saying it will open up the transit route for India to Iran, Afghanistan (bypassing Pakistan), Central Asian countries and also Europe.
Iran President Hassan Rouhani pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to hold talks with PM Modi today; visa, oil & Chabahar on cards
Iran President Hassan Rouhani meets President Ramnath Kovind and PM Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Iran President Hassan Rouhani inspects guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan