Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, represented India at the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s newly elected President, Masoud Pezeshkian, on Tuesday in Tehran. Pezeshkian, known for his reformist stance, secured the presidency in a recent election held after the death of his predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi, in May.
During his visit, Gadkari extended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s congratulations to Pezeshkian, underscoring India’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss ongoing and future collaborations between the two nations.
The Iranian government, including President Pezeshkian, positively evaluated the state of bilateral ties with India, especially emphasizing the development of the Chabahar port. This strategic port is expected to bolster regional trade and provide crucial access to landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asian countries, facilitating their connectivity to global markets.
The Chabahar port project, which has been a cornerstone of Indo-Iranian cooperation, is seen as a significant initiative for enhancing economic and logistical ties between the two nations.
The ceremony in Tehran was a notable occasion following a period of mourning in India for the loss of Iranian officials. Raisi, along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other senior Iranian figures, tragically died in a helicopter crash on May 19. In response, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar represented India at an official commemoration in Iran on May 22, while India observed a day of national mourning on May 21 for Raisi.
Sources By Agencies