President Ahmadinejad stresses Iran-India close ties

Tehran, May 18, IRNA – President Mahmdoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday stressed close ties between Iran and India.

Making the remarks in a meeting with Indian External Affairs (Foreign) Minister S.M. Krishna on Tuesday, he said Iran and India should stay together for three reasons namely because of their cultural characteristics and the common historical records, the present situation in the region as well as the contemporary world conditions which call for close cooperation between the two countries.

Stressing the need for further consolidation of cooperation between the two countries, President Ahmadinejad said Iran and India should build upon their common views in building up new systems for the future of the world.

He also underlined the rapidly changing world structure and said Iran and India should not neglect the present opportunities to replace the dying big powers.

Highlighting the importance of expanding cooperation between the two countries, he believed closer ties between Iran and India will benefit other countries as well because Tehran and New Delhi have always sought peace and security for both the region and the world.

The Indian foreign minister said Iran and India were two developing countries which had to make the best of their potentials and experiences to advance their countries.

He said his country has always admired Iran for its struggles to safeguard its interests.

The Indian official described the G-15 meeting in Tehran as successful and effective and, appreciating Iran’s efforts to successfully hold the meeting, said all should try to further activate the grouping./end