Iran Foreign Minister Salehi in Delhi, discusses terrorism and extremism

New Delhi, May 31 (ANI): Stating that India and Iran face threats from terrorism and extremism, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on Thursday said that he discussed issues of mutual interest to both New Delhi and Tehran along with his Iranian counterpart Dr. Ali Akbar Salehi.

Krishna said India and Iran share an interest in the stability of Central Asia and the Gulf.

"We also face threats from terrorism and extremism. Dr. Salehi and I have, therefore, taken the opportunity to discuss all these and other issues of our common interest. We intend to continue our discussions over lunch," he said in his opening remarks at the media interaction with the Foreign Minister of Iran Dr. Ali Akbar Salehi.

Krishna said India and Iran share the same neighbourhood.

"Iran is an important neighbour and crucial trade partner for India, and also a major source of our energy supplies. It is also a gateway for India to Central Asia," he added.

Krishna further said the monuments, language, cuisine and literature are all evidence of the rich shared heritage between India and Iran.

"Dr. Salehi is on his first official visit to India. However, such are our cultural, linguistic and civilizational links that it is a widely held belief amongst us that no Iranian can be a stranger in India just as no Indian can be a stranger in Iran," he said.

Krishna also said New Delhi deeply appreciates the gesture of President Ahmedinejad for deputing Dr. Salehi as his special envoy to deliver the invitation to Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, to attend the sixteenth NAM Summit.

"As you are aware, Iran is set to assume the chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement in August this year. We deeply appreciate the gesture of President Ahmedinejad for deputing His Excellency Dr. Salehi as his Special Envoy to deliver the invitation to Hon'ble Prime Minister of India to attend the sixteenth NAM Summit," said Krishna.

"I have congratulated Dr. Salehi on Iran assuming this important responsibility later this year and offered our best wishes for the success of the forthcoming NAM Summit," he added.

Asserting that Dr. Salehi also has vast experience of nuclear issues, Krishna said: "I conveyed my deep appreciation to him for his briefing on the recent discussions between Iran and the P5+1 in Baghdad. India has always held that the nuclear issue should be resolved through peaceful diplomacy and the framework of the IAEA provides the best forum to address the technical aspects of the issue." (ANI)