Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, who was in New Delhi to attend the multi-lateral Raisina Dialogue-2020, met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
During his meeting with Zarif on the sidelines of the conference, Dr Jaishankar suggested a joint comprehensive plan of action to resolve the current crisis. New Delhi has reiterated its interest in the region, and support for efforts to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.
Both ministers also recalled the positive outcomes of Jaishankar’s recent visit to Tehran for the 19th Joint Commission Meeting, especially for strengthening bilateral trade and promoting connectivity through Chabahar port, India’s External Affairs Ministry said.
The joint commission between the two countries in December 2019 had resulted in an agreement to accelerate the Chabahar project, which India had feared because of the risk of US sanctions until recently.
Both sides have also agreed to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the bilateral Treaty of Friendship in 2020.
Situated in the Indian Ocean in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchistan Province, Chabahar Port is easily accessible from India’s west coast. The Chabahar route would lead to a 60 per cent reduction in shipment costs and a 50 per cent cut in shipment times from India to Central Asia.
The US exempted India from sanctions over Chabahar Port, as Washington said it recognised that the strategic project was a lifeline for war-torn Afghanistan to get Indian humanitarian supplies.
