NEW DELHI – India and Iran on Saturday inked nine agreements followingtalks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Iranian PresidentHassan Rouhani, with a greater focus on strategically-important ChabaharPort.
According to reports, the two sides inked nine pacts, including a pact ondouble taxation avoidance, visa liberalisation, ratifying extraditiontreaty, agricultural cooperation, port lease, medicine and others.
The agreements were signed after PM Modi and Rouhani held wide-rangingtalks aimed at boosting cooperation in key areas of security, trade andenergy, External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
The two leaders also deliberated on regional situations during theirone-to-one meeting.
During their discussion, the visiting Iranian leader gifted an animatedversion of Kalila Wa Demna (Farsi translation of the Panchtantra) and acopy of the Mahabharat (Farsi) to PM Modi.
“Both leaders held a substantive and productive discussion on cooperationin trade & investment, energy, connectivity, defence & security & regionalissues,” MEA official Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
Addressing a joint press conference with Rouhani, PM Modi said the visit bythe Iranian President shows how the two sides want to deepen cooperation inkey areas, including connectivity.
Giving details of their comprehensive talks, Modi said the two leadersdiscussed threats posed by terrorism, drug trafficking and other challenges.
On his turn, Rouhani said, “We are determined to combat terrorism andextremism.”
The Iranian leader also said that regional conflicts must be resolvedthrough diplomacy and political initiatives.
PM Modi also appreciated the way the Iranian leader provided leadership indeveloping strategically-important Chabahar Port.
Apart from tax pact, the two sides also exchanged instrument to ratify theextradition treaty as well as to simplify visa process.
Earlier, Rouhani was given a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
In the morning, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on Rouhaniand discussed various issues with him.