New Delhi
6 September 2006
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday evening spoke with
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad on telephone. Both leaders agreed that a
strong India-Iran relationship is of strategic importance for both countries and would also
be beneficial for peace and prosperity of the region, according to a press release issued
by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Observers tracking India's engagement with Iran said the telephonic conversation, which
comes days ahead of the 14th NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) Summit at Havana in Cuba,
was a part of a larger exercise to secure the support of West Asia for India's nominee for
the post of United Nations Secretary General. India has nominated Shashi Tharoor for
this post. Tharoor is the UN Under Secretary General for Communications and Public
Information. India and Iran are members of the 116-nation NAM.
The press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs read, "The conversation was
initiated by [Dr Manmohan Singh] and lasted about 15 minutes. Both leaders agreed that
a strong and vibrant India-Iran relationship is of strategic importance for both countries,
and would be beneficial for peace and prosperity of the entire region."
It went on to read, "In this context both Prime Minister and President Ahmedinejad
reaffirmed the need to accelerate the implementation of all ongoing cooperation projects
including those in the energy and transport infrastructure sectors."
"Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and President Ahmedinejad expressed satisfaction
at the current state of bilateral relations, which both leaders affirmed, are deeply rooted
in centuries of shared history and culture," the press release added.
The observers said that New Delhi was engaged in canvassing support for Tharoor
through its envoys around the world. Ministers travelling abroad also seek support for
Tharoor as is done when any foreign dignatory visits India.
The telephonic conversation also comes about a week after Iranian Deputy Foreign
Minister Mehdi Safari visited New Delhi and sought India's backing at the NAM Summit.
India has maintained that as a signatory to the NPT, Iran must enjoy all its rights and
honour all its obligations. New Delhi has underlined that it "does not want confrontation
and destabilisation" in the region and wants all issues to be resolved through dialogue
and discussion "rather than coercion".
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