In the first high-level contact between the two countries since the February 4 International Atomic Energy Agency's vote, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed on Tuesday met Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad and said bilateral relations can not be spoiled by anybody.
"The relationship between India and Iran is very old and deep rooted, true and natural, and it will remain so for long and cannot be spoiled by anybody," said Ahamed as he called on the Iranian President in Tehran.
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"The relationship between the 2 countries is diverse and (they) cannot be divorced from one another," he added.
The meeting came two days ahead of a debate in Parliament on India's stand over the Iran nuclear programme. At the February 4 IAEA voting, India joined 26 other countries in favouring the referral of Iran's nuclear programme to the United Nations Security Council.
Ahamed, who was warmly received at the presidential palace in Tehran, told the Iranian leader that India was also looking forward to the implementation of the gas pipeline project involving Iran, India and Pakistan, a view shared by the Iranian President.
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