External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held an important meeting with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian in Tehran on Monday.
During this, they discussed various issues ranging from India’s involvement in Chabahar port, Gaza war and attacks on commercial ships.
Jaishankar is currently in the Iranian capital for the ongoing high-level talks between the two sides. He also met Iranian President Dr Ebrahim Raisi and conveyed the good wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a joint press conference, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said their discussions focused on the long-term framework for India’s participation in the strategically important Chabahar port and the North-South Connectivity Project.
He said, “We discussed India’s participation in the development and operation of Chabahar Port, which is a joint project with a joint vision of connectivity. “I reiterated India’s interest in benefiting from Iran’s unique geographical position for access to markets in Central Asia, Afghanistan and Eurasia.”
Attacks on ships should be resolved quickly – India
Jaishankar said in a post on ‘X’, “Had extensive discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian in Tehran today.
Our bilateral discussions focused on the long-term framework for India’s engagement with the Chabahar Port and the INSTC Connectivity Project.
He also talked about the dangers facing maritime vessels in the region and stressed that it is important that the issue be “expeditiously addressed”.
He was referring to the Israel-Hamas conflict. In fact, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Iran-backed Yemen’s Houthi rebels are targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea.
America and Britain have carried out air strikes targeting Houthi positions in Yemen. India is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Red Sea. This issue came up in a phone conversation between Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday. “Other issues on the agenda were the Gaza situation, Afghanistan, Ukraine and BRICS cooperation,” Jaishankar said after his meeting with the Iranian foreign minister.
Attacks on ships around India a matter of ‘grave concern’: Jaishankar
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday described attacks on ships around India as a matter of “grave concern” to the international community, saying such threats have a direct impact on India’s energy needs and economic interests.
“Recently, threats to the safety of maritime commercial traffic in this vital part of the Indian Ocean are increasing significantly,” Jaishankar said in a joint press statement after wide-ranging talks with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdullahian.
He stressed that it was vital that the issue be “dealt with urgently” in an apparent reference to the targeting of commercial vessels in the Red Sea, which includes the busiest trade routes, by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. ‘ Go.
Jaishankar met Iranian President Raisi
Later, he met Iranian President Raisi and informed him about his “fruitful discussions” with Iranian ministers. Jaishankar said on ‘X’, “I am honored to meet Dr. Ibrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Best wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Expressed condolence over the Kerman attack. Informed him about his fruitful discussions with Iranian ministers. Value their guidance for further development of relations.”
“They also discussed regional and international developments,” Iranian news agency IRNA said.
Earlier on Monday, Jaishankar started his program by meeting Iran’s Road and Urban Development Minister Mehrdad Bajrpash.
During the meeting, both sides held detailed and “meaningful” discussions on establishing a long-term cooperation framework on the strategically important Chabahar port.
Jaishankar also met Minister Bajrpash
Jaishankar also exchanged views on the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) with Bajrapash. “My visit to Tehran began with a meeting with Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bajrpash,” he said in a post on ‘X’.
Detailed and fruitful discussions on establishing a long-term cooperation framework regarding Chabahar Port. “Also exchanged views on the International North-South Transport Corridor.”
Located in the Sistan-Baluchistan province on the southern coast of energy-rich Iran, the Chabahar port is being developed by India and Iran to boost connectivity and trade ties.
India is pushing for the Chabahar port project to boost regional trade, especially its connectivity with Afghanistan.
At a connectivity conference in Tashkent in 2021, Jaishankar had projected the Chabahar port as a major regional transit hub, including with Afghanistan.
Chabahar port is also seen as a major hub for the INSTC project.
Post Views: 2