Expansion of India Ties "Strategic Necessity"

In a congratulatory message to his new Indian counterpart, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani stressed the need for enhancement of relations between the two countries, given their history of cordial cooperation. In a message on Thursday, Rouhani congratulated India's new President Ramnath Kovind on assuming the office, Tasnim News Agency reported. The history of cordial cooperation between Iran and India, as well as their rich cultures and age-old civilizations, makes expansion of bilateral ties "a strategic necessity" to open "a new chapter" in relations, Rouhani said. He expressed hope that the Indian president's tenure would mark closer interaction between Tehran and New Delhi in various fields. Kovind took oath as the 14th president of India on Tuesday. A former lawyer and state governor, 71-year-old Kovind was elected to the largely ceremonial position last week with over 65% of the vote by members of India's parliament and state assemblies.