Tehran: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in Iran on Sunday on a two-day state visit, will have crucial meetings today with the leaders of the host country and witness signing of various agreements having economic and strategic importance.
After the ceremonial reception, the Prime Minister will meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a restricted meeting followed by delegation level talks.
The two leaders are expected to discuss issues of mutual interest like improving connectivity, regional and international issues including the menace of terror and extremism and the ways and means of carrying forward bilateral relations to a higher level.
After the talks, signing of agreements and Memorandum of Understanding on a series of projects including Chabahar port is expected to be signed. Both the leaders will later jointly address the press, highlighting the developments.
In the afternoon, the trilateral agreement on connectivity of India with landlocked Afghanistan through the Iranian port of Chabahar will be signed. It will be witnessed by Pm Modi and President Rouhani and Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani. The development of Chabahar is seen as a competitor to the China-backed Gwadar port in Pakistan.
The prestigious Chabahar Port project was visualized during the earlier NDA regime, though it hibernated for quite long, mainly due to the slapping of international sanctions against Iran. However, post-sanctions Iran is now ready for welcoming global role in its economy.
Modi, who landed in Tehran on Sunday evening accompanied by Shipping and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, was received by Iran’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Finance Ali Tayyebniam, and Deputy Foreign Minister Ibrahim Rahimpour. He went to Gurudwara Bhai Ganga Singh Sabha immediately after landing at the airport.
Ahead of PM Modi's visit, India has cleared part of its $6.4 billion oil dues to Iran. Discussions will also be held on the modalities of payment for the rest. The bilateral talks will also feature Indian firms securing rights to develop the offshore Farzad-B gas field, which was discovered by ONGC Videsh.
