Mottaki's visit rectifies situation : former Indian diplomat

New Delhi, Nov 19, IRNA - The visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki to India is very important and has rectified the situation created by New Delhi's adverse vote in International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) against Tehran, a former Indian diplomat said.

N. N. Jha, former Indian ambassador to Sri Lanka, told IRNA in an exclusive interview on Thursday that Mottaki's visit to New Delhi was long awaited and hopefully it will help in bringing both nations more closer than earlier.

Both India and Iran being great old civilizations and having historical relations should play a concerted role in the region and at the international level, said Jha, adding that both the countries can help effectively in the rebuilding of Afghanistan.

The Afghanistan problem is far from being solved and India and Iran should jointly help in the reconstruction of that country so that it could get rid of the problems threatening the region, he said, noting that Mottaki had himself pointed out the construction of a railway for which India and Iran can work closely.

It is to be noted that India and Iran are already cooperating in the rebuilding of Afghanistan.

India and Iran should also jointly work to further boost their economic ties, as it would help in their growth, Jha said, adding that their close cooperation will also be beneficial to the region especially Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Jha also stressed that India and Iran can also work together in tackling terrorism, which is threatening world peace, but more so has become a menace for the region./end