Krishna calls on Ahmadinejad

TEHRAN - Visiting Indian External Affairs S.M.Krishna called upon Iran President Mehmood Ahmadinijad this morning, a day after the conclusion of the fourth Group of Fifteen (G-15) summit.

Preliminary reports quoted sources here, as saying that it was a customary courtesy call.

Both leaders are reported to have reviewed progress in bilateral ties and, exchanged views on issues of regional and multilateral interest to the two countries. Further details of the meeting are awaited.

On Sunday, Krishna had a meeting with the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Ali Larijani at the Majlis, where both discussed regional issues of common concern, including the prevailing situation in Afghanistan.

The meeting lasted for about 45-minutes. Krishna apprised Larijani about Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s recent meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani in Thimphu (Bhutan).

He also conveyed India’s desire to have more cooperative and cordial relations with Pakistan, but told Larijani that terrorism remains a core concern in bilateral ties between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Larijani noted that terrorism is a common challenge for both countries and there is a similarity of outlook.

Both also expressed happiness over New Delhi hosting the upcoming 16th India-Iran Joint Commission meeting, and added that it was the desire of the two nations to boost ties in all sectors, as bilateral trade has crossed the 14 billion dollar mark.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Fathallahi was also present. By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)