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Iranian press describes PM's visit
as 'turning point' in ties

Giving wide coverage to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's visit to Tehran, the Iranian media termed it as a "turning point in Indo-Iran ties" that would help bring stability in the region.

"Iran, as a powerful and strategic country in the Persian Gulf, Central Asia and Middle East region, and India, as a country with high potential for advancement among developing nations, can soundly co-operate in all domains," the English language Iran Daily said.

Close affinity and collaborative efforts between the two nations can solve many a problem existing in the volatile region, the daily said, citing the much needed co-operation to solve the Afghan crisis.

It said the visit reflected the commonalities shared by the two countries and Iranian influence on Indian culture, architecture, art and language.

The daily Kayhan International described Vajpayee's visit as a "turning point" in Teheran-New Delhi ties.

Recent developments in the international arena have, however, demonstrated that convergence can be a great factor in regional development, the Iran Daily noted.

"Recognition of each other's real capacities and capabilities is therefore an indisputable exigency," it said.

Mutual co-operation between the two parties in economy and technology, including construction of the Iran-India gas pipeline, will ensure the best interests of the two countries besides enhancing regional stability, the paper said.

Although the editorial in Kayhan International praised bilateral ties of both countries in areas of co-operation since ancient times, it regretted that the concrete ties could not be materialised for various reasons.

The paper singled out problems created by "mischievous" America and demolition of the historic Babri Mosque as some reasons.

"Despite the misunderstandings, Vajpayee's visit will reverse this trend and relations between the two countries will enter an new stage," the paper hoped.

The Iran News, an English language daily, termed the prime minister's visit as "landmark", while the mass circulation Teheran Times quoted Iranian President Syed Mohammad Khatami as saying that New Delhi and Tehran have opened a new chapter in bilateral ties.

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