TEHRAN: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani today vowed to collaborate more closely with India on the strategic Chabahar port development and step up bilateral cooperation in key areas like petrochemicals, steel and research.
Rouhani made the pledge when National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called on him here.
Referring to good bilateral relations and the two countries' powerful positions, Rouhani said Tehran and New Delhi can contribute to development of the two countries and the region.
Iran welcomes further expansion of cooperation with India which strengthens peace and security in the region, Rouhani was quoted as saying by state-run IRNA news agency.
He also referred to fields of cooperation, including ports development, making North-South Corridor, steel, petrochemicals, pharmaceutical industry, medical equipment, scientific and research cooperation and called for employing all potentials to develop bilateral ties.
In reference to the development of Chabahar Port, the implementation of Chabahar–Zahedan Railway project and expanding Port of Jask to make it an important oil export port, President Rouhani said Iran is ready to cooperate more closely with the Indian private sector.
The Port of Chabahar is a seaport in southeastern Iran. Its location lies in the Gulf of Oman. It is the only Iranian port with direct access to ocean.
Doval, who attended the 51st Munich Security Conference last week, said Asia will have an important role in international developments in future and Iran along with countries such as China and India should play their roles in economic and political fields.
He said Chabahar can become the North-South Corridor in the region and India looks to it as a place for quick development of relations.
Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani said Iran and India play significant role in establishing peace in the region.
In his meeting with Doval, Shamkhani said Iran and India are two neighbors without joint borders and the two sides' political leaders are determined to broaden cooperation in line with their national interests and maintaining stability of the entire region.
Shamkhani welcomed investments of Indian companies in Iran's development projects such as construction of ports and rail tracks in east Iran along with transit of goods between the two sides.
Implementation of economic agreements between the two countries will play a decisive role in expanding economic cooperation which in turn will bring economic prosperity for both sides, Shamkhani said.
Noting significant role of the Non-Aliened Movement (NAM) in bolstering global peace and stability, he called for closer cooperation between regional countries against terrorism.
Doval, while calling for expansion of all out cooperation between the two countries, praised Iran's role in fighting terrorism and its positive role in restoration of stability and security to West Asia.
Noting the significant role of Iran and India in maintaining the stability and security of the region, Doval said the two sides have always tried to broaden cooperation without leaving any negative impacts on other countries.