Tehran:

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held wide-ranging discussions with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian here on Monday and their discussions focused on the long-term framework for India’s participation in the strategically important Chabahar port and the North-South Connectivity Project.

Mr Jaishankar, who is in the Iranian capital as part of the ongoing high-level exchanges between the two sides, also met Iranian President Dr Ebrahim Raisi and conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s good wishes.

“Had extensive discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister @Amirabdolahian in Tehran today.

Had extensive discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister in Tehran today @amirabdolahian,

Our bilateral discussions focused on the long-term framework for India’s participation in the Chabahar Port and the INSTC Connectivity Project.

Also talked about the dangers of maritime shipping… pic.twitter.com/e5PNyrgRfD

—Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) 15 January 2024

Our bilateral discussions focused on the long-term framework for India’s engagement with the Chabahar Port and the INSTC connectivity project,” Mr Jaishankar said in a post on X.

He also spoke about the dangers to maritime navigation in the region and stressed that it is important that the issue be “swiftly addressed”, apparently related to the Israel-Hamas standoff between Iran-backed Yemen’s Houthi rebels. There was a reference to targeting merchant ships at sea. Confrontation.

America and Britain have carried out air strikes targeting Houthi positions in Yemen.

India is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Red Sea. This issue came up in a phone conversation between Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday.

The Indian Navy has already increased deployment of its frontline ships and surveillance aircraft for maritime security operations given the maritime environment in the critical sea lanes including the North and Central Arabian Sea.

Following airstrikes targeting Houthi positions, US President Joe Biden said he would not hesitate to direct further measures. “The international community’s response to these reckless attacks has been united and resolute,” he said.

“Other issues on the agenda were the Gaza situation, Afghanistan, Ukraine and BRICS cooperation,” Jaishankar said after his meeting with the Iranian foreign minister.

Later, he met Iranian President Raisi and informed him of his “productive discussions” with Iranian ministers.

“Honoured to meet Dr. Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran @raisi_com. Best wishes to PM @narendramodi. Expressed condolences on the Kerman attack. Informed him of his fruitful discussions with Iranian Ministers. Further. I value his guidance.” Development of relations,” Mr Jaishankar posted on Twitter.

Iran’s official IRNA news agency earlier reported that Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian and his Indian counterpart discussed developing bilateral relations. “They also reviewed regional and international developments,” it said.

Earlier on Monday, Mr Jaishankar began his visit by meeting Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazarpash, during which the two sides held detailed and “productive” discussions on establishing a long-term cooperation framework on the strategically important Chabahar port. .

Shri Jaishankar also exchanged views with Shri Bajrapash on the International North-South Transport Corridor.

He said, “My engagements in Tehran began with a meeting with Minister of Roads and Urban Development @mehrdadbazrpash. Had detailed and fruitful discussions on the establishment of a long-term cooperation framework regarding Chabahar Port. Also exchanged views on the International North-South Transport Corridor.” -be provided.” Another post on X said.

Mr Bazarpash and Mr Jaishankar have reached a final agreement to develop the Chabahar port in southeastern Iran, the country’s state-run IRNA news agency reported.

Proposing the formation of a Joint Transport Committee to expand cooperation between the two countries, Mr. Bazarpash said that the formation of this Working Committee will help in activating transit capacities and utilizing the North-South Corridor, the report said. Can be enabled.

Jaishankar, on his part, expressed India’s readiness for new investments in the field of transport and transit in Iran and invited Mr Bazarpash to visit India, IRNA reported.

Located in the Sistan-Baluchistan province on the southern coast of energy-rich Iran, the Chabahar port is being developed by India and Iran to boost connectivity and trade ties.

India is pushing for the Chabahar port project to boost regional trade, especially its connectivity with Afghanistan.

At a connectivity conference in Tashkent in 2021, Jaishankar pitched the Chabahar port as a major regional transit hub, including Afghanistan.

Chabahar port is also seen as a major hub for the INSTC project.

The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a 7,200 km long multi-mode transport project to transport freight between India, Iran, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia and Europe.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)