Krishna in Iran; Nuke programme, IPI on agenda

Ammar Zaidi
Tehran, May 15 (PTI) India's External Affairs Minister
S M Krishna arrived here on a four-day visit during which
India will explain the reasoning behind its vote against Iran
at IAEA last year which had upset the latter.
Krishna, who is here primarily to attend the meeting
of G-15 developing countries, will meet his counterpart
Manouchehr Mottaki and underline that it considers Iran an
important trade partner and wants engagement in this area to
increase.
The two sides are also expected to discuss the
proposed Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project,
negotiations for which have been dragging for over last four
years.
India will seek to use the visit to assuage Iran's
feelings over its vote against it over the controversial
nuclear programme at the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) last year, sources said.
Krishna is expected to convey that India had no option
but to vote against Iran as it needed to be consistent in its
position on the nuclear programme.
India had voted for an IAEA resolution censuring Iran
in November last year at Vienna. Subsequently, Iran had
written a "nasty" letter to India protesting its action.
Krishna is expected to tell Mottaki that India wants
cordial relations and increased trade with Iran.
"We attach great importance to our relations with
Iran. Our cooperation is underpinned by growing economic
linkages in energy, industries, trade investment, regional
cooperation, in cultural and educational exchanges," Krishna
said on his arrival here.
"We believe that our continued and closer engagement
is of mutual benefit and contribute towards economic growth
and peaceful development," he said.
Ahead of his once-postponed trip, Krishna had said on
Thursday that the visit would given him an opportunity to
"further clarify whatever we have said."
Though India had supported the resolution against Iran
over its nuclear programme, it had opposed "a renewed punitive
approach or sanctions" against that country and favoured a
dialogue to resolve the issue.
Acknowledging that Iran was "not pleased with our
vote", Krishna had said, India has explained its position and
hoped that "Iran would be able to understand and appreciate
our position".
The minister said the relationship between the two
countries has been very smooth despite the vote issue.
"In the relationship between two countries, there
could be times when on one issue there could be certain
divergence of views.... That should not halt the overall
relationship of friendship between our two countries," he had
said.
Krishna and Mottaki are also expected to discuss the
IPI gas pipeline issue, negotiations for which have been going
on for over four years, without any result being in sight.
India has been expressing its commitment to the
project but wants issues like pricing and security to be
addressed.
Krishna will also join leaders from countries like
Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Algeria, Chile, Kenya, Nigeria,
Malaysia, Mexico, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Venezuela and Zimbabwe
under G-15 format to discuss ways to enhance cooperation
between the developing nations.
On his arrival, the External Affairs Minister said
India attaches great importance to the G-15 Summit and values
strengthening of South-South cooperation and the important
role of G-15 process in addressing issues which are of direct
concern and relevance to the developing countries.
Algeria, Brazil, Senegal, Zimbabwe Venezuela, and Sri
Lanka will be represented by their Presidents.
Besides, the Syrian President, the Qatari Emir and the
Turkish Prime Minister will be special guests, Iran's
Mehr news agency said Saturday. PTI ANZ
MRD