Rouhani Due in India

President Hassan Rouhani is to start his visit to India today as part of efforts to boost relations between the two countries, according to the deputy for communications and information at the presidential office. Parviz Esmaeili said on Wednesday that Rouhani heading a high-ranking delegation would leave Tehran for India on Thursday morning at the official invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tasnim News Agency reported. At the beginning of his three-day trip, the president would visit Hyderabad, the capital of India's southern state of Telangana, the official noted. Esmaeili said attending a meeting with the Muslim scholars in southern India, visiting the cultural and religious centers of Hyderabad, and meeting with Iranian expatriates in the South Asian country were on the agenda of the president's trip. Rouhani will be in New Delhi on Saturday to hold talks with the Indian premier.  Iran and India have increased efforts in recent years to establish closer trade ties. The two countries have recently signed a deal worth 2 billion US dollars for cooperation in the rail sector. India is one of the major customers of Iran's crude oil.