India, Iran sign 9 agreements

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 17

Advocating concerted efforts in the region to tackle challenges including terror, India and Iran today reviewed the gamut of their bilateral relations while entering into nine agreements.

At the end of delegation-level talks here led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, both sides signed nine pacts including ones for the ‘Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and Extradition Treaty’ besides those relating to agriculture, health and medicine and the lease of phase-1 of the Chabahar Port.

Amid concerns over the possible re-imposition of sanctions by the United States that could affect bilateral trade, both India and Iran agreed to set up a joint committee of officials to examine the feasibility of a rupee-rial arrangement and an Asian Clearing Union mechanism to establish functional payment channels.

Iran welcomed that India, which is developing the Chabahar port, is to invest in setting up fertiliser, petrochemicals and metallurgy plants in the free trade zone in the port area. Both sides recognised the unique role of both countries in promoting multimodal connectivity within and across the region.

Recognising the challenges of terrorism and ideologies of violent extremism, both leaders, in a joint statement, reiterated their strong commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They stressed that there could be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism.

Asked whether India raised the issue of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in J&K during the talks, officials in the Ministry of External Affairs said there was an understanding on how India was a victim of terrorism, indicating that it figured in the deliberations.

On Iran’s nuclear issue, President Rouhani said both the countries have a common viewpoint that the commitment to the international agreement must be honoured.