As India urges the world to deal with Iran diplomatically, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will undertake his first-ever visit here next week. Ahmadinejad will hold discussions with the Indian leadership during his brief visit, which comes at a time when Iran is facing United Nations sanctions and isolation from several countries.
"Ahmadinejad is coming here shortly on his way to Sri Lanka," National Security Adviser M K Narayanan said on Sunday.
Narayanan pitched for better treatment of Iran internationally, saying it was an ancient civilisation, and a major country with tremendous influence.
"In dealing with Iran, we are better poised and better placed than anyone else, but we do not necessarily have to be a part of a compact of certain countries," the NSA said.
Noting that India has avoided getting into 'conflict diplomacy', he appealed to the international community, "Please do not treat Iran like any other (nation). It is a big country, it is a major country with tremendous influence. You need to deal with it diplomatically," Narayanan said.
During his two-day state visit to Colombo beginning April 28, the Iranian President is expected to launch a hydropower project in Wellawaya in Monaragala district and sign an agreement for modernising the Sapugaskanda oil refinery.
