Iran president arrives in Hyderabad
Iran President Hassan Rouhani arrived in Hyderabad on Thursday on a three-day India visit during which the two countries will discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Union Minister of State for Power R K Singh and Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan received him at the Begumpet airport.
During his two-day visit to the city, President Rouhani, who is accompanied by a 21member delegation, will also meet people of Iranian-origin living in Hyderabad. He will address a congregation at the historic Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad on Friday after offering Friday prayers, the official said, adding that religious scholars will also participate in the session. Rouhani is also expected to visit historic sites, including the Qutub Shahi tombs at Golconda here. This is Rouhani’s second visit to Hyderabad and the first after becoming president.
He will leave for New Delhi on Friday evening. Apart from holding extensive talks with Modi and other Indian leaders, Rouhani is scheduled to deliver a special address at the Observer Research Foundation on Saturday. Rouhani will discuss with Modi issues related to trade, security and connectivity, including the strategically-important Chabahar port. The two sides are also looking at inking a number of pacts in several key areas apart from exploring the scope of cooperation in fields such as health and traditional medicine during the visit, which is part of India’s continued regional engagement, official sources said.
Iran and India have already operationalised a mechanism under which Indian businessmen can invest in projects in Iran in Indian rupees, the sources said. The move is expected to boost Indo-Iran trade ties tremendously.
While there was no pact expected to be signed on security cooperation, the joint statement will talk about the engagement between the two countries in that area, including the interactions between their national security councils, the sources said.
Asked if cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan will be raised, the sources said terrorism is a shared concern but whether any specific country will be mentioned could not be stated.