Aim will be to boost trade, energy partnership: PM on Iran visit

Modi, who arrives last evening, will hold talks with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and its President Hassan Rouhani to boost bilateral trade, energy and strategic ties.

"Enhancing connectivity, trade, investments, energy partnership, culture and people to people contacts would be our priority," he said in a series of tweets.

After his arrival, he is scheduled to visit a local gurudwara.

Modi said that his meetings with Rouhani and the Supreme Leader of Iran would provide an opportunity to advance "our strategic partnership".

Rouhani will be hosting a lunch for him.

"My meetings with President Rouhani and Hon'ble Supreme Leader of Iran will provide an opportunity to advance our strategic partnership," he said.

Noting that he looked forward to the conclusion of the Chahbahar Agreement during his visit, the Prime Minister said, "India and Iran enjoy civilisational ties and have shared interest in the peace, security, stability and prosperity of the region.

Chabahar is a port in South-East Iran that will enable India to bypass Pakistan and open up a route to land-locked Afghanistan with which New Delhi has close security ties and economic interests.

From Chabahar, the existing Iranian road network can link up to Zaranj in Afghanistan, about 883 kms from the port. The Zaranj-Delaram road constructed by India in 2009 can give access to Afghanistan's Garland Highway, setting up road access to four major cities in Afghanistan - Herat, Kandahar, Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif.

Besides visiting the gurudwara, Modi will also inaugurate an International Conference on 'Retrospect and Prospect' of India-Iran relations.

"I am looking forward to my visit to Iran on Sunday & Monday, at the invitation of President Rouhani," he added.

Besides signing a deal on development of Chabahar port, India is looking at doubling oil imports from Iran which a few years back was its second-biggest oil supplier, as well as getting rights to develop a giant gas field.

Post-sanctions Iran has seen a flurry of diplomatic and business activity with leaders from China and Russia courting Tehran.

Earlier, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had visited Tehran.