Modi returns home after successful visit to Iran

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has returned to New Delhi late last night after his two-day successful visit to Iran. He said, the tour was fruitful and the outcomes will positively impact the ties between the two strategic partners. In a tweet message, Mr Modi thanked the wonderful people of Iran for the warmth.

During the visit, the two countries signed 12 agreements including a milestone pact on developing the strategic Chabahar port and pledged to combat terrorism and radicalism. Mr Modi who held extensive talks with President Hassan Rouhani also called on Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei before heading home.

Besides the bilateral pact to develop the Chabahar port for which India will invest 500 million US dollars, a trilateral Agreement on Transport and Transit Corridor was also signed by India, Afghanistan and Iran, which Mr Modi said, could alter the course of the history of the region. 

In his joint statement, the Prime Minister said, the trilateral pact opens up a glorious new chapter in the ties between the traditionally old friendly nations that never lost contacts even during periods of global turmoil. He said, further extension of the transit route could enable easy access



to Central Asia and Europe.

Mr Modi said, the transit pact, popularly known as the Chabahar agreement would build regional security without affecting anyone. He hoped that it would help build a healthy and friendly neighbourhood. The bilateral agreements signed by India and Iran after detailed discussions between Mr Modi and Mr Rouhani included one on setting up of an aluminium plant and another on laying a railway line to give India access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. 

The agreements, aimed at further deepening India-Iran ties in diverse fields, covered areas of economy, trade, transportation, port development, culture, science and academic cooperation. Mr Modi remarked that these agreements would boost economic ties substantially. He also said both India and Iran have resolved to work closely to root out terrorism, radicalism and extremism.

Mr Modi's visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 15 years, came months after the lifting of international sanctions on Iran following Tehran's historic nuclear deal with the Western powers over its contentious atomic programme. Earlier, the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had visited the country in April 2001.