Lok Sabha Question No. 4327 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Iranian President’s Visit to India
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RATTAN LAL KATARIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4327

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018

## IRANIAN PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO INDIA

4327. SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether   during   the   recent   visit   of Iranian   President   Hassan Rouhani, India and Iran have agreed for closer cooperation in the fields of energy, banking and counter terrorism;
- (b) if so, the details in this regard;
- (c) whether India and Iran have discussed various agreements and the future course of action on Chabahar and India's contribution to the Chabahar railways;
- (d) if so, the details in this regard;
- (e) whether   India   has   described   Chabahar   as   the   gateway   to Afghanistan and the Central Asian region; and
- (f) if   so,   the  details of agreements made between India and Iran to make transit and trade the core of bilateral relations?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V.K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) & (b) Dr. Hassan Rouhani, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran paid a visit to India from 15-17 February 2018. During the visit, 9 bilateral Agreements and MoUs were exchanged between the two countries.

On Energy, India and Iran agreed to develop a long term strategic partnership and increase the pace of negotiation for reaching appropriate results on energy cooperation, including Farzad B gas field.

On banking, India and Iran agreed on the deepening of trade and investment   cooperation   and   recognized   the   need   to   put   in   place   an effective banking channel for business transactions.  Both countries also agreed to set up a Joint Committee of officials to examine feasible options to establish functional payment channels.

On counter-terrorism, the two countries agreed to enhance regular and   institutionalized   consultations   between   the   respective   National Security Councils and others concerned on terrorism, security and related issues such as organized crime, money-laundering, drug trafficking and cyber crime and jointly called on the international community to end selective or partial approaches to combating terrorism and, in this regard, stressed the need to make every effort to reach an agreement on and conclude a comprehensive convention on international terrorism at the

(c) to (f) Promoting   multi-modal   connectivity   within   and   across   the region constituted a key element of the visit. The recent developments including successful inauguration of the Phase-1 of Chabahar Port in early December 2017; the ratification of the Trilateral Agreement between India, Iran   and   Afghanistan   on   Establishment   of   International   Transport   and Transit   Corridor   by   all   sides;   and   the   successful   shipment   of   wheat assistance   from   India   to   Afghanistan   through   Chabahar   Port   were described as having opened a new gateway to and from Afghanistan,

UNGA. Central Asia and beyond.

During the visit, both countries reiterated their commitment for early and full operationalisation of Shahid Beheshti Port at Chabahar. A lease contract for Shahid Beheshti port of Chabahar during the interim period was signed between Port and Maritime Organization (Iran) and India Ports Global Limited (IPGL). India conveyed its readiness to support the development of Chabahar-Zahedan Rail line. Iranian side conveyed that it would organise a business promotion event, with participation of countries from   the   region   and   beyond,   with   the   objective   of   showcasing   the economic opportunities offered by the Chabahar Port.

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