Kumar: Indian Embassy issues visa for Iranians in five days

Saurabh Kumar, who visited the Faculty of World Studies of the University of Tehran at the invitation of the Dean of Faculty Professor Saeed-Reza Ameli, added that India and Iran will have tremendous opportunities for mutual cooperation in the post-JCPOA era, AVA Diplomatic reports.

Ameli touched on cultural cooperation between the two countries, saying the Department of Indian Studies has been established to introduce India’s capacities to the Iranian public and officials.

He added that both countries need to have firsthand information about each other to avoid illusions, particularly under the influence of some Western media.

Ameli called for closer cooperation between the Faculty of World Studies of the University of Tehran and Indian universities, which was welcomed by the Indian ambassador.

Kumar proposed the establishment of an Indian chair in Iran to help Iranian public and officials to get firsthand information about India.

The ambassador also delivered a lecture at the Department of Indian Studies in the presence of the chairperson of the department, Heshmat ul-Sadat Moinifar, other faculty members and students of the department.

Touching on close cooperation between the two countries in his speech, the ambassador said that Iran-India relations enjoy a history of several millennia and despite ups and downs the two countries have maintained their friendly relations.

Even during the sanctions, we continued trade with Iran to the extent we could, he said, adding India does not accept unilateral sanctions against other countries. However, with the removal of sanctions we have now more flexibility to cooperate with Iran.

Referring to the forthcoming visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Iran, he said it is a high-level visit underlining the significance India attaches to Iran. We have already signed MoUs regarding Chabahar Port, for which an agreement will be signed during the visit of the Indian premier.

India will contribute to construction of Chabahar-Zahedan railway, he mentioned.

Kumar said India has also good relations with Iran in oil and gas sectors and we are ready for investment in Iranian free zones.

Besides ports, oil and gas, the ambassador said connectivity is an important issue, adding India can connect to Central Asia and Afghanistan through Chabahar.

Shifting to relative advantages of Iran, the ambassador said geographically Iran is the closest source of oil and gas to India, which offers tremendous opportunities for mutual cooperation and joint ventures.

Tourism, he continued, provides ample opportunities for Indian and Iranian tourists to visit respective countries. India has facilitated issuance of visa for Iranian tourists and businessmen, he said reiterating, visa can be now obtained from the Indian Embassy within five working days.