Iran, India parliamentary delegations stress expanding economic ties
Tehran - BORNA - Ahmad Naderi, head of the Iranian parliamentary delegation, met Om Birla, Speaker of India's Lok Sabha, on the sidelines of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, along with other members of the delegation.
Naderi positively assessed the meetings held during this forum and expressed hope for the development and strengthening of Iran-India relations.
"The recent meetings between Iran's president and India's prime minister, which took place in your country and in Kyrgyzstan, reflect the two sides' will to strengthen bilateral cooperation," he said.
Naderi said the Islamic Republic of Iran has always emphasized expanding relations with India at various levels, adding that the two countries' ties have a historical and authentic record and "we must therefore work harder than before to expand them, and in this regard the role of parliaments is highly important."
Draft strategic relations document
Referring to Iran's strategic view of its relations with India, the Majlis Presiding Board member announced that a draft strategic relations document with India is being prepared.
"The ground for cultural and economic cooperation between the two countries is prepared, and we must take steps to actualize these capacities with the aim of developing both countries," he said.
India: Ties at a 'very favorable level'
Om Birla, Speaker of India's Lok Sabha, referred to the millennia-old relations between India and Iran and their wide reflection in the two countries' cultures, saying: "Relations between the two countries are at a very favorable level, and one of its foundations, as a facilitator, is parliamentary relations."
Birla expressed concern over crises that Western countries are creating for the region, saying parliamentary diplomacy has a significant role in this regard and "can be effective in establishing lasting security and peace in West Asia."
In closing, Birla stressed the need to expand economic and trade relations between the two countries, noting: "The role of the Indian and Iranian parliaments in achieving this is very important."
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