Today, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani will be in New Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the last stop for the Iranian President’s three day tour in India.
The two leaders will sit down and have bilateral talks in the Nation’s capital. A ceremonial welcome has been prepared for the President of Iran, when he reaches the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Later today President Rouhani will deliver a speech at the Observer Research Foundation.
Modi and Rouhani will discuss international issues starting with the deep water Chabahar Port. Iran is concerned the Port has not progressed due to the United States’ pressure on other countries. They will also discuss the recent sanctions imposed against Iran.
The Chabahar Port will be vital as it will be a transit route between India, Iran and Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan. Another conversation will be about oil and gas cooperation between the countries. India imports oil and gas from Iran but at present negotiations are pending for the oil fields in South Iran.
Rouhani said, “Iran has abundant oil and natural gas resources and is willing to share them with India for its progress and prosperity of (its) people.” The Iran President has brought a 21 member delegation of ministers and businessmen. These businessmen are looking to seal a number of deals in India.
In Hyderabad, President Rouhani offered prayers at the Sunni Mecca Masjid. Rouhani who is a Shia called for all the Muslims to unite. Rouhani said, “If Islam is presented before the world in (a) true sense, then the whole world will love this religion.”
The Iran President also mentioned U.S. President Donald Trump’s travel ban on Muslim countries. Rouhani condemned this move and said it was wrong to brand Muslims as terrorists.
