(MENAFN- The Journal Of Turkish Weekly) Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the development of a key Iran-based port project during their meeting in the Indian capital New Delhi on Friday.
"Prime Minister [Modi] conveyed India's commitment to work with Iran for development of Chabahar Port that would have far reaching benefits, not only for people of India and Iran, but also for Afghanistan and the entire Central Asia region," the Indian Prime Minister's Office said in a statement on Friday.
Chabahar port is located on Iran's southeastern coast and is considered a key project to expand India's access to central Asia.
Zarif later met with Nitin Gadkari, India's transport minister, and discussed the implementation phase of development of Chabahar Port; a Memorandum of Understanding about the port was signed between the two countries in Tehran in May.
Gadkari told reporters that Iran had come up with two good offers for the development of the integrated port and he would take a decision within 10 days after consultation with the premier and the Indian Foreign Ministry.
Once the Chabahar port becomes fully operational, it will provide India direct access to landlocked Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan.
Modi also congratulated Iran for reaching a nuclear agreement with China, France, Russia, U.K., U.S. and Germany, and hoped the deal would contribute to greater peace and stability in the Middle East.
Both sides also exchanged views on recent developments in Afghanistan, West Asia and South Asia.
Friday's meeting was the second bilateral meeting between leaders of India and Iran after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani met Modi on the sidelines of a security meet in Ufa, Russia, and sought Indian investment worth $8 billion in various infrastructure projects in Iran.
Zarif told Modi that Iran considered India as its "strategic partner" and recalled India's extended cooperation during the sanctions against his country.
Both leaders discussed key issues like connectivity, oil and gas, investments, fertilizers and infrastructure development.
Zarif also invited Modi to visit Iran.
He also met with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj who raised the issue of nine Indian sailors in Iran.
"I requested him [Zarif] for waiver of $2.9 million fine imposed on them and for their early release," Swaraj tweeted after meeting with Zarif.
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