Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif described India as “an important partner” of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
He also said India’s participation in the development of the Port of Chabahar can further boost trilateral cooperation among Iran, India and Afghanistan.
Zarif made the remarks in a meeting with the outgoing Indian ambassador to Tehran, Dinkar Prakash Srivastava, on Saturday, IRNA reported.
The minister also expressed hope that bilateral cooperation would be enhanced in all areas, given the long-lasting relations between the two nations.
Noting that there are numerous opportunities for India’s participation in economic projects, Zarif said India is “a major partner of the Islamic Republic in various projects.”
The Indian envoy, for his part, said India’s participation in Iranian economic projects, especially in the petrochemical sector, can be increased, announcing that India’s minister of transportation will pay a visit to Iran in the near future to sign a memorandum of understanding on carrying out development projects in the port of Chabahar.
Singapore Ties
In a separate meeting on Saturday, Zarif held talks with the new Singaporean non-resident ambassador who submitted the copy of his credentials to the foreign minister.
Referring to good bilateral relations with Singapore, Zarif stressed expansion of ties in various areas, especially in the field of politics.
The Singaporean diplomat in turn conveyed warm greetings of the Singaporean foreign minister to Zarif and said during his mission he will try to help “expand Iran-Singapore economic ties more than ever before.”
Ong Keng Yong also hoped that Iran’s nuclear talks with the major powers known as the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) will come to a final conclusion so that the ground would be laid for further enhancement of economic relations between the two countries.
