India, Iran discuss bilateral issues, Af-Pak situation

India and Iran, today, discussed the Af-Pak situation, with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad highlighting the need for the two nations to work together on regional issues.

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," an Indian spokesperson said after the near 30 minute meeting, which was described as a "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 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 the 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 here about 18 months ago, and the next meeting is planned in New Delhi.
   
Iran, Ahmadinejad 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.

The External Affairs Minister was assisted by Indian Ambassador to Iran Sanjay Singh, Joint Secretary (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran) in the Foreign Office Yash Sinha and other officials, while the Iranian team comprised Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Ali Fathollahi and Director General of Asian Affiars among others.
   
Krishna had, yesterday, met his counterpart, Manouchehr Mottaki, and discussed bilateral relations and trade ties.
   
After the meeting, IRNA reported Mottaki as saying in meeting with his Indian counterpart that "after the end of the cold war era the regional groups spent a hag period of relative stagnation for some 15 years".
   
"Some people had, at that time, assumed that unilateralism would replace the former bipolar world order," IRNA quoted Mottaki, who was not present at the meeting today.
     
"India can, as an influential country, play a very decisive role in the region," he said.