Tehran, Aug.30 (ANI): Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is said to have told Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during their bilateral interaction that sectarian feuds should be avoided, and that every effort must be made to promote harmony among all groups.
Revealing this on Thursday, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai said that Ayatollah Khamenei spoke about the progress of Iran-India bilateral ties, and expressed the hope that this would be maintained in the years ahead.
Mathai said that the Iranian leader made two or three significant remarks with regard to his own readings of the Indian history, his belief in Mahatma Gandhi and India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Ayatollah Khamenei, talked about his respect for Mahatma Gandhi and how he was "deeply impressed with Gandhiji"s visage and leadership during the freedom movement."
He also told Prime Minister Singh about how he was impressed by Nehru beliefs, which came from Gandhiji"s teachings, and helped to formulate and guide the initial years of the NAM movement.
Mathai said that he also spoke warmly about his visits to India and his meetings with former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Narasimha Rao.
The Indian foreign secretary said that Iranian leader said that he wanted sincere and deep-rooted relations with India.
Mathai said that Khamenei had mentioned that he had been on the Ali Kabir Street and seen members of the Sikh community there
Khamenei, he said, believed that religious diversity was important, and that there was a need for promoting harmony among all groups of people
Mathai said that the Iranian leader also said that it is important for India to have various and diverse religions. By Smita Prakash (ANI)
|
|
Comments:
