Sarbananda Sonowal calls on Vice President of Iran, reiterates strong commitment to Indo-Iran bilateral relations

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday called on the Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mohammad Iranin Tehran and discussed further bolstering Indo-Iranian bilateral relations.

The Vice President, who is Iran's Special Envoy for relations with India, appreciated the visit of India's Shipping Minister as it would provide the required impetus to further the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The development of Chabahar port would lead to an increase in trade and shipment volume, the Vice President added.

The Union minister also underscored the importance for both sides to collaborate on further steps to be taken to make Chabahar port an instrument for regional growth in trade shipment.

Sonowal in a statement said, "Extremely pleased to meet Vice President of Iran, Mohammad Mokhber where we discussed ways and means to further strengthen and consolidate the vibrant Indo-Iranian bilateral relations."

"We continue to strengthen our dynamic relationship with Iran. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked me to communicate about the highest-level commitment to further deepen and expand our relationship for a mutually beneficial one," he said.

On this occasion, both the countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on recognition of Certificates of Competency in Unlimited Voyages to help seafarers from both countries as per the provisions of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers (1978).

"Sarbananda Sonowal and Rostam Ghasemi had a fruitful bilateral meeting on deepening the Indo-Iranian relations. The signing of the MoU is aimed at smoothening the movement of seafarers from both the countries," the Ministry said.

It further added that the Union minister reiterated the importance of the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

The role of Chabahar as a trade multiplier for the region was highlighted by the Union Minister at the meeting as the potential of the port to act as a swift, economical trade conduit between Central Asia and South Asia, even South East Asia, remains to be tapped fully.

Since India Ports Global Private Limited (IPGPL) assumed operations of Shahid Beheshti Port, it has handled over 4.8 million tons of bulk cargo.

With close cooperation between India's IGPL and Iranian stakeholders including Iran's Port and Maritime Organisation, Iranian Customs Administration and the Chabahar Free Zone Authority, Shahid Behesti Port Authority and other stakeholders, the Port is likely to act as a catalyst to unlock the huge trade potential in the region.

In 2020, India supplied 75,000 tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan as part of humanitarian assistance programme as well as provided 40,000 litres of Malathion 96 per cent ULV pesticides to Iran via Chabahar port in a concerted effort to mitigate locust threat to agriculture and enhance food security in the region.

Earlier, in an effort to invigorate the potential of Chabahar port, Sonowal commissioned six mobile harbour cranes for Indian Ports Global Chabahar Free Trade Zone (IPGCFTZ).

Sonowal is on a three-day official tour to Iran. Following his Iran visit, the minister will be on a day-long official visit to the UAE where he will pay a visit to Jebel Ali port and participate in bilateral meetings as well as investor meetings.

( With inputs from ANI )

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