PM Narendra Modi, Hassan Rouhani discuss energy, connectivity

Foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said the meeting was the sign of 'advancing a significant partnership.'

PM Modi speaking with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Russia (Source: Twitter/Vikas Swarup)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he is looking forward to visiting Iran during the course of his meeting with President Hassan Rouhani here on Thursday morning, where the two leaders are learnt to have discussed a host of issues. These include the continuing efforts to deal with the threat of terrorism in the region.

The BRICS conference venue. (Source: Anil Sasi)

Foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said the meeting was the sign of ‘advancing a significant partnership.’

Advancing a significant partnershp. PM @narendramodi meets President @HassanRouhani on sidelines of BRICS/SCO Summits pic.twitter.com/4dWn7ZsiGS

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) July 9, 2015

Ahead of the meeting, the PM and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley held talks with Indian CEOs.

India- Iran friendship discussed at the meeting between PM @narendramodi and President of Iran, @HassanRouhani. pic.twitter.com/YyWKoInRdV

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 9, 2015

“Connectivity, energy, trade and investment and terrorism were the main issues discussed at the meeting,” MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said. On asked about PM’s response to an invitation from the President to visit Iran he said “(the) PM said he is looking forward to visit Iran”.

Iran is central to India’s connectivity and energy security plans in Central Asia and New Delhi has fast-tracked its investments in developing the strategically-significant Chabahar port in that country. This port would also give access to landlocked Afghanistan access to sea and would help India connect with resource-rich Central Asian countries.

Thursday’s meeting is the first high-level interaction between the two nations after the NDA government came to power in May last year.

Anil Sasi

Anil Sasi is National Business Editor with the Indian Express and writes on business and finance issues. He has worked with The Hindu Business Line and Business Standard and is an alumnus of Delhi University. ... Read More

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