Hasan Rouhani to visit India, What is on agenda?

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will undertake his maiden visit to India later this week that is expected to provide the two countries an opportunity to discuss latest developments in the region as well as economic cooperation, particularly on the Chabahar port. Pakistan’s continued support to terrorism against India and Afghanistan may also be raised by the Indian side during talks.

During the course of his three-day visit beginning on Thursday, Rouhani will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has just returned from his West Asia trip, and other Indian leaders.

Modi paid a historic visit to Iran in May 2016, the first trip by an Indian Prime Minister to Iran after 15 years, which gained further significance following the implementation of the landmark Iranian nuclear deal and the lifting of international sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

However, Iran is currently faced with the threat of a fresh round of sanctions with US President Donald Trump threatening to pull out of the nuclear agreement.

Ties between India and Iran have been on an upswing with the two countries making operational the Chabahar port, which has provided India a crucial transport link to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan. Further upgradation of the Chabahar port, for which India has already committed $500 million, is most likely to be taken up for discussion between the two sides. The two countries are also in talks for linking the Chabahar port by rail.

Discussion will be held on India’s bid for developing a major gas field, Farzad B, in Iran amid reports that Tehran is seriously considering a bid by a Russian major. Negotiations between India and Iran have been stuck over the pricing issues.

India’s oil imports will also be high on the agenda since Iran continues to be a major supplier of oil to this country. PM Modi is expected to brief President Rouhani on his just-concluded visit to Palestine and reiterate India’s unwavering support for the cause of the Palestinians in the backdrop of President Trump’s move to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.