Chabahar development to open new chapter in Iran-India ties: Rouhani

Tehran: Iran's cooperation with India on the development of the strategically important Chabahar port would open a new chapter in bilateral ties, President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday while inviting Indian investments in the oil-rich country's infrastructure sector.

President Rouhani made the remarks when visiting Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari called on him here.

"Resumption of Iran-India cooperation in the southeastern Iranian port city of Chabahar would lead to a new chapter in relations of two countries," President Rouhani was quoted as saying by the state-run IRNA news agency.

During Gadkari's visit here, India and Iran were expected to sign a memorandum of understanding for development of Chabahar port.

Chabahar port is located in Sistan-Balochistan Province on Iran's south-eastern coast and is of great strategic utility for India, which will get sea-land access route into Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan.

The port would cut transport costs and freight time for India to Central Asia and the Gulf by about a third.

Touching upon the two countries' ancient and historical relations, Rouhani, in his meeting with Gadkari, underscored that undoubtedly the level of mutual cooperation could be expanded day by day.

Pointing to Iran's transit position for connecting east to west and north to south, he stressed that the Islamic Republic could play a pivotal role in connecting India to Central Asia, the Caucasus and Eastern Europe via railway.

President Rouhani reiterated that Iran is fully ready to lure foreign investors.

Noting the importance of North-South Transport Corridor and development of Iranian ports, Rouhani stressed that Iran fully welcomes the Indian investors to make investment in construction of roads, railways and development of Chabahar port and other southern ports in Iran.

Gadkari handed over a message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to President Rouhani, the report said.

Referring to the cordial relations between the two countries, he said New Delhi is fully ready to cooperate with Tehran on development of Chabahar port.

Significantly, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman has said India and other countries should "not rush" into doing business with Iran as Washington is yet to work out its nuclear deal with Tehran.