New Delhi | WTNS | Sep 17: Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi called for closer interaction with Iran on issues relating to Afghanistan.

In a meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Samarkand on Friday, Modi said his country and Iran share views about the developments in Afghanistan.

In their first in-person meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday discussed with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi bilateral ties, regional developments, including Afghanistan, and reviewed the progress in the development of Chabahar Port.

He also called for the continuation of regional and international cooperation between New Delhi and Tehran in regard to Afghanistan.

Modi also expressed India’s opposition to the imposition of unilateral sanctions on other countries.

He further highlighted the significant role of Iran’s southeastern port of Chabahar in regional transportation, saying the development of the port will contribute to the economic progress of the regional states.

For his part, Raisi said one of Iran’s top foreign policy priorities is to expand its relations with India.

Hailing the friendly and cordial ties between Iran and India, Raisi said the two countries can promote cooperation in various fields, employ the capacities available in the oil and gas industries, and work in the transportation sector, especially in the Chabahar-Central Asia transit route.

Pointing to Iran’s advances in science and industry, Raisi said the cruel sanctions have failed to obstruct the Iranian nation’s progress.

In a meeting with his Indian counterpart in June, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian underlined the necessity of coming up with a roadmap to promote comprehensive and vast strategic ties between Tehran and New Delhi.

He said preparing a roadmap for strategic cooperation can regulate long-term bilateral ties and protect the relations from detrimental factors.

“Productive first meeting between PM @narendramodi and President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran. Discussed our wide-ranging bilateral relations and reviewed the progress in the development of Chabahar Port. Also discussed international and regional developments including Afghanistan,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

Earlier this month, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, focusing on bilateral cooperation, and the Iran nuclear deal.