Iran, India Hold 16th Round of Political Consultations

The meeting was attended by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Seyyed Abbas Araqchi and an Indian delegation led by the country’s Foreign Secretary Vijay Keshav Gokhale.

During the negotiations, the two diplomats exchanged views on different bilateral, regional and international issues. They also reviewed a road map for reciprocal ties over the next one year.

The two sides expressed content over the positive effects of using national currencies and the considerable rise in the volume of Iran-India trade over the past year.

They also underlined the necessity of further enhancing mutual ties, especially in key areas such as trade, transportation, science and technology, industry, communications, banking and insurance as well as investment.

Araqchi also underscored the need to settle the Kashmir issue through talks between India and Pakistan by focusing on peaceful and fair approaches.

Given historical bonds between Iranian people and Muslims in Kashmir, the top Iranian official expressed hope that the rights of Muslims in Kashmir are respected and the restrictions imposed on them are removed.