India, Iran discuss bilateral issues, Af-Pak situation

Ammar Zaidi
Tehran, May 18 (PTI) India and Iran Tuesday discussed
the Af-Pak situation, with Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad highlighting the need for the two nations to work
together on regional issues.
India's External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, who
was here representing India at the meeting of G-15 developing
nations, called on Ahmadinejad this morning and discussed
bilateral and regional issues.
"The two leaders talked about situation in the
region," Indian spokesperson said after the near 30 minute
meeting that was described as "warm and cordial interaction".
"It (Af-Pak situation) was briefly mentioned... The
two leaders touched upon the situation in the region," he
said.
The Iranian President wanted the two nations to be in
touch on regional issues, the spokesperson said.
"Referring to regional situation, the President
underlined the desirability (and) need for India and Iran to
be in touch (and) to work together.
"India has always played an important role in global
affairs including NAM and G-15 organisations," the official
said.
Krishna also conveyed the greetings of India's
President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to
the President, and to the leadership and people of Iran.
"External Affairs Minister congratulated the President
and the Iranian Government for the very successful hosting and
conduct of the G-15 Summit and excellent arrangements made,"
the spokesperson said.
Recalling India's civilisational links with Iran,
Krishna noted that the two nations were neighbours (before
India's partition) and have always been good friends.
Ahmadinejad warmly welcomed the External Affairs
Minister and echoed his sentiments, saying India and Iran had
joint roots.
He also expressed satisfaction that Indo-Iran Joint
Commission would take place shortly which would "give impetus
to cooperative and multi-faceted ties".
The last Joint Commission meeting was held about 18
months ago here and the next meeting is planned in New Delhi.
Iran, he said, was happy to see India's economic
development and progress which was good for the region.
The President requested Krishna to convey his greeting
to the President and Prime Minister of India.
Krishna thanked the President of Iran for receiving
him warmly. (MORE) PTI