Road project has Mishra in Tehran

In order to discuss the Zarang-Delaram Highway Project with his Iranian counterpart, National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra left for Iran today. In Iran, Mishra is also expected to hold talks on the impact of the Iraq war and the situation in Afghanistan with Iranian authorities.

From Iran, Mishra will travel to Afghanistan where he will meet President Hamid Karzai. At the same time, expressing concern over the situation in Iraq, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha called his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov and emphasised on a UN role in Iraq, adding that ‘‘new approaches’’ would have to be adopted with a review of sanctions.

An MEA spokesperson said a ‘‘new situation has developed in Iraq and new approaches would have to be taken on several issues, including sanctions’’. The two ministers also discussed the situation in South Asia with regard to the recent statements by PM Vajpayee, including his extending a hand of friendship to Pakistan.