Modi calls on Iran's supreme leader

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called on Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei here.

"A rare honour, signifying the strength of the unique relationship. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei receives PM @narendramodi," external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

The meeting assumes significance because Khamenei rarely meets visiting world leaders.

Earlier on Monday, Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani held delegation-level talks following which 12 bilateral agreements were signed.

Later in the day, India, Iran and Afghanistan signed a trilateral agreement for development of the Chabahar port for a transport and transit corridor.

Modi also attended the inauguration of a two-day conference titled "India-Iran Two Great Civilisations: Retrospect-Prospects" held as part of the "Cultural Festival of India in Iran" being organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in collaboration with the Indian embassy in Tehran, Bonyad-e-Sadi, and Farhangistan-e-Zaban-o-Adab-e-Farsi.

--IANS

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