PRESIDENT OF INDIA HOSTS BANQUET IN HONOUR OF THE PRESIDENT OF IRAN; SAYS AS DEVELOPING NATIONS FACING SIMILAR CHALLENGES, INDIA AND IRAN HAVE MUCH TO SHARE AND GAIN FROM EACH OTHER

Rashtrapati Bhavan : 17.02.2018

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, received His Excellency Dr Hassan Rouhani, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (February 17, 2018). He also hosted a banquet in his honour.

In his banquet speech, President Kovind said that India and Iran are age-old friends. Our togetherness has been nurtured by our civilisational ties. We have interacted, embraced and enriched each other in all aspects of life and culture. On these strong and deep-rooted cultural links, we have built a modern partnership.

The President was happy that the India-Iran relationship is growing in all spheres. Our bilateral trade has expanded. Our energy partnership is growing. Iran’s abundant hydrocarbon resources and India’s rapidly growing energy demand provide new opportunities.

The President said that as developing nations facing similar challenges, India and Iran have much to share and gain from each other. Our young people are our biggest strength.They are brimming with ideas, energy and entrepreneurship. We need to bring them together.

The President said that Iran has played an important role in connecting peoples, cultures and civilisations for centuries. In contemporary times, it has the potential to yet again emerge as the hub in the region. In this context, the ChabaharPort, the Ashgabat Agreement and the International North-South Transport Corridor together would open immense opportunities for development and prosperity, not just in Iran, India and Afghanistan, but in the larger region.

This release issued at 2120 hrs.