New Delhi
17 May 2010
India has sought to keep its trade and energy ties with Iran on an even keel by
proposing to host the next Joint Commission meeting here within a few weeks.
External affairs minister SM Krishna on Monday conveyed New Delhi's interest in
resuming talks to Manouchehr Mottaki, the Bengaluru-educated foreign minister of Iran,
when they met in Tehran on the margins of the G-15 summit.
Mr Mottaki completed his bachelor's degree in social sciences from Bangalore
University in 1976.
Sources here said the ministers discussed ways to enhance ties, particularly in trade,
during their 25-minute meeting. The discussions were described as friendly and useful.
The ministers, who exchanged views on global economic and financial situation, also
noted with satisfaction that regular high-level exchanges were imparting momentum to
the bilateral relationship.
Both sides looked forward to the 16th India-Iran joint commission meeting to be held in
New Delhi shortly. The last such meeting was held in Tehran in 2008.
Mr Krishna conveyed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's good wishes to the leaders and
friendly people of Iran. He congratulated Iran on the successful holding of the G-15
summit.
Mr Mottaki is understood to have fondly recalled India's contribution as a founding
member of NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) and other international organisations. Iran will
succeed Egypt as the chair of NAM in 2012, when it will host the 16th NAM summit.
The Iranian minister recalled his previous meetings with Mr Krishna at Thimphu, Bhutan,
in April 2010; at New Delhi in November 2009; and at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of
Sharm-el-Sheikh in July 2009.
India's bilateral trade with Iran touched 14 billion US dollars in 2009. Iran is India's third
largest supplier of crude oil.
On Sunday, Mr Krishna had met with Iranian Parliament's Speaker Ali Larijani and
discussed regional issues of common concern, including the situation in Afghanistan.
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