India, Iran to boost maritime, defence cooperation

India and Iran on Saturday expressed interest in enhancing cooperation possibilities in the maritime domain.

"Both sides expressed interest in enhancing cooperation possibilities in the maritime domain. It was agreed to hold dialogue to look into measures for cooperation in defence sphere, including port calls by naval ships, training and regular exchanges of defence delegations," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, in a joint statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani welcomed the growing interaction between their National Security Councils and agreed to enhance regular and institutionalized consultations between them and others concerned on terrorism, security and related issues such as organised crime, money-laundering, drug trafficking and cybercrime.

Both the sides "positively" noted the progress achieved in the implementation of the bilateral agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons; the Extradition Treaty by both sides and understanding reached on Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty on Civil and Commercial Matters.

Earlier in the day, India and Iran signed nine Memorandums of Understanding (MoU)s following the delegation-level talks in the presence of Prime Minister Modi and Iranian President Rouhani.

The agreements were signed in areas like double taxation avoidance, extradition, agricultural cooperation, port lease, medicine and others.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the joint statement with President Rouhani, said that the MoUs exchanged between India and Iran are reflective of both sides' strong relations and their commitment towards further strengthening it.

In addition to this, four MoUs have also been signed between trade bodies.