India Backs Iran In Political Issues: Envoy

Bandar Abbas, Dec 10, IRNA – New Delhi supports Tehran in political issues, Indian Ambassador in Iran D.P. Srivastava said. Srivastava made the remarks in a meeting with the governor of Hormuzgan province Ibrahim Azizi in Bandar Abbas on Friday. The official noted India opposition to one of Canada's proposed resolutions against Iran is an example of New Delhi's political support for Tehran. "India welcomes a visit by Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi to New Delhi," Srivastava said. Srivastava underlined the development of commercial and economic relations between the two countries, adding that Iran's southern provinces have suitable potential for investments by Indian investors. Governor of Hormuzgan province for his part, welcomed the development of relations between Tehran and New Delhi. Indian investors will be given privileges and necessary facilities, including tax exemptions to use Hormuzgan province Free trade industrial zones. Iran and India continue to maintain strong cultural and economic ties. Lucknow in India's Uttar Pradesh continues to be a major center of Shiite culture and Persian studies in South Asia. Iran is the second largest supplier of crude oil to India, supplying more than 425,000 barrels of oil per day and India is one of the major foreign investors in Iran's oil and gas sectors. There is a small Indian community in Iran. There is a Sikh Temple (Gurdwara) located in Tehran, as well as Hindu temples in Bandar Abbas and Zahedan. They were built in the 19th century by Indian soldiers in the British Army. There are also small communities in India who trace their ancestry to Iran. Iranian students study at universities across India. The growing Iranian film industry seeks assistance from India's Bollywood for technical assistance and inspiration. Indian Shia community enjoys state support such as a recognized national holiday for Muharram. In the 1990s, India and Iran supported the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan against the Taliban regime. They continue to collaborate in supporting the broad-based anti-Taliban government led by Afghan President Hamid Karzai. India objected to additional US sanctions against Iran in 2010. An Indian foreign policy strategist, Rajiv Sikfi, dismissed the idea that an nuclear Iran was a threat to India, and said that India would continue to invest in Iran and continue doing business with Iran.