Modi arrives in Iran

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday arrived in Tehran on a two-day official visit to Iran during which the trilateral agreement between India, Iran and Afghanistan to develop the Chabahar port in that Gulf nation will be signed.

"Salam Tehran! PM @narendramodi arrives in Iran for a landmark visit, receives a red carpet welcome," external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

Modi will be accorded an official welcome on Monday following which he will hold talks with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani.

Connectivity, energy security and bilateral trade are on top of Modi's agenda during his visit which comes a a little over a month-and-a-half after his trip to Saudi Arabia.

The prime minister will also inaugurate an Indian cultural festival in Iran on Monday.

Ahead of his departure from New Delhi, Modi tweeted that he looked forward to his visit to Iran at the invitation of President Rouhani.

"India and Iran enjoy civilisational ties and have shared interest in the peace, security, stability and prosperity of the region," he said.

He said his meetings with President Rouhani and Supreme Leader Khamenei would provide an opportunity to advance the strategic partnership between India and Iran.

Modi said that priority would be given to enhancing connectivity, trade, investments, energy partnership, culture and people-to-people contacts.

--IANS

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