India, Iran ink 6 strategic pacts

Inking of six pacts, including transfer of sentenced persons and extensive review of India-Iran ties in strategic areas such as counter-terrorism, economic and joint projects in the region were highlights of the Iranian Economic Affairs and Finance minister's visit in New Delhi during which he co-chaired the 16th Joint Commission Meeting.

With a focus on instilling fresh momentum in the ties, particularly in strategic areas, both countries discussed issues of direct benefit to their people during the two-day session of the Joint Commission, which ended today and was co -chaired on the Iranian side by Seyed Shamseddin Hosseini and on the Indian side by External Affairs Minister S M Krishna.

"The meeting of the Joint Commission provided an opportunity to review bilateral economic and cultural cooperation. It was agreed that the next Session of the Joint Commission would be held in Tehran," an official release said.

During his visit, Hosseini called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and also met Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon.

Issues of bilateral, regional and international importance were discussed during the meetings between the two sides. Joint cooperation projects such as Chabahar Port, energy cooperation, economic ties and counter-terrorism were also deliberated upon with an aim to find ways to enhance and carry forward the joint efforts in these strategic areas.

India is also understood to have stressed for structured, systematic and regular consultations with Iran on the Afghanistan situation and reiterated its position that all efforts should be made to avoid the return of fundamentalist and extremist groups there.

The six pacts which were signed during the meeting were -- Air Services Agreement, Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement, MoU on Cooperation in New and Renewable Energy and MoU on Cooperation in Small Scale Industry between National Small Industries Corporation and Iranian Small Industries and Industrial Parks Organisation.

The two others were Programme of Cooperation on Science and Technology and MoU on Cooperation between Central Pulp and Paper Research Institute of India and Gorgan

University of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources.

Under the Air Services Agreement, signed by Krishna and Hosseini, the number of flights between the two nations will be enhanced from 23 to 31 every week and the two sides also agreed to allow each other's airlines to operate to two additional destinations.

The new Air Services Agreement will be based on the International Civil Aviation Organisation template and the revised ASA will supersede the ASA initialled between the two countries on 30 April, 1980.

"It has the potential to spur greater trade investment, tourism and strengthening the cultural exchange between the two countries besides bringing it in tune with the developments in the international civil aviation scenario," the official release said.

Apart from increased cultural and economic cooperation, the pacts aimed at exchange of expertise in renewable energy and small scale industries between the two countries.

During his stay, the Iranian Minister also inaugurated a business seminar organised by FICCI on 'Investment Opportunities in Iran' and a business delegation accompanying him also held meetings with Assocham and Confederation of Indian Industry.