India News Network | July 9
New Delhi: India has accepted Iran’s invitation for the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Ebrahim Raisi. The invitation was extended at a meeting between Raisi and India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday when the latter was on a brief stopover in Tehran on his way to Russia for a three-day visit.
S Jaishankar is the first foreign dignitary to have met President-elect Ebrahim Raisi, even as the latter is yet to assume his office.
During the meeting, Jaishankar also delivered a personal message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to President-elect Raisi.
“Thank President-elect Ebrahim Raisi for his gracious welcome. Handed over a personal message from PM @narendramodi. Appreciate his warm sentiments for India. Deeply value his strong commitment to strengthen our bilateral ties and expand cooperation on regional and global issues,” Jaishankar tweeted.
India is among the few countries to be invited to the ceremony. It is yet to be decided who will represent New Delhi at the Iranian president’s oath-taking ceremony. During his visit, Jaishankar also met his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif.
“Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who is in Iran to deliver a written congratulatory message from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Iranian President-elect Ayatollah Seyyed Ebrahim #Raisi met with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Wednesday afternoon,” said the Iranian foreign ministry in a tweet.
According to the Iranian foreign ministry, in addition to bilateral issues of mutual interest, the latest developments in the region, and the situation in Afghanistan, the prospects for the Vienna talks on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) were on the agenda of talks.
India and Iran share a strong bilateral relationship marked by meaningful interactions. The two countries share several common features in their language, culture and traditions.
Both countries have expressed concern about the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and called for strengthening intra-Afghan dialogue to find a comprehensive political solution against the backdrop of the drawdown of US and international forces.
During his meeting with Zarif, EAM Jaishankar reiterated India’s interests in the region and support for efforts to maintain peace, security and stability.
“The two sides exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. They also discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan and expressed concerns over the deteriorating security there. Both sides also discussed joint connectivity initiatives in the region including the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and Chabahar Port,” said the MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi during a press briefing held on Thursday.
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