Prime Minister Modi embarks on two-day visit to Iran

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22 May embarked on a two-day visit to Iran (Tehran). President of Iran, Hassan Rouhani had sent an official invitation.

Prime Minister Modi earlier today said that he was looking forward to the conclusion of the trilateral Chabahar Agreement. A deal which opens up a route to land-locked Afghanistan with which New Delhi has developed close security and economic ties.

He will start his tour by meeting President Rouhani and Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This meeting would provide an opportunity to advance the strategic partnership between the two nations. He also asserted that enhancing connectivity, trade, investments, energy partnership, culture, and people to people contacts would be his priority.

Prime Minister Modi's visit will focus mainly on connectivity and infrastructure, energy partnership with Tehran and boosting bilateral trade. It will help in promoting regular consultations on peace and stability, particularly in the region and extended neighbourhood.

India, Iran, and Afghanistan will sign an agreement on developing Chabahar port on 23 May.

The port will be a game changer for regional connectivity, especially for Afghanistan, which can find an assured and reliable alternative access to India via sea.

The route will also significantly enhance prospects for India's connectivity with Afghanistan, Central Asia and beyond through synergies with other initiatives touching the region such as North-South transport corridor.

Modi's first tour to Iran will feature discussions on terrorism in the region as well as on India's desire to secure energy assets for a fast growing economy.