Indian FM: Iran's nuclear issue should be resolved through talks

Tehran, Nov 2, IRNA Visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee conferred
here on Saturday with Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani on issues on mutual
interests as well as Iran's peaceful nuclear activities.

At the meeting, the Indian minister said that the issue of Tehran's
nuclear program should be resolved through peaceful means and exerting
pressures or imposing economic sanctions would be of no use.

The Indian minister also congratulated Larijani on assuming office as
Iranian Majlis speaker and wished him success in carrying out this
grave duty.

For his part, Larijani said that the deep-rooted ties between the two
nations are based on cultural and civilizational roots and are of
prime importance for both sides.

Iran's strategy after the victory of the Islamic Revolution is based
on promoting relations with other independent states, he said adding
that bilateral relations have experienced a good growth in recent years.

Referring to the current volume of trade between the two countries
which hit dlrs 10 billion, he said that there are huge potentials for
further broadening and bolstering economic, industrial and commercial
cooperation between the two countries. It is expected that Iran-India
Economic Commission meeting will help boost and upgrade such ties, he
underlined.

Highlighting the significant role of Majlis in expansion of mutual
cooperation between the two countries, he said that the Majlis fully
backs expansion of all-out ties with India.

The two sides have very close stance on regional and global
developments, Larijani said adding that the current regional
developments requires further cooperation between the two countries.

The Indian foreign minister, for his part, expressed satisfaction with
the expansion of mutual cooperation and said India will spare no
efforts to accomplish this.

Ties between Iran and India are never influenced by others, he underlined.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is the only legal body
to review Iran's peaceful nuclear dossier, he said adding that by
resorting to pressures or economic sanctions it is not possible to
resolve the country's nuclear issue. He noted that the issue could
only be resolved through talks.

Regional crisis could be resolved by consolidating ties among
countries in the region, he said adding that at the Iran-India
Economic Commission meeting, the two sides agreed to further bolster
and broaden mutual cooperation.


End