The relationship status: warm officially. Iran Foreign Minister Dr Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrived to a “warm’’ welcome in New Delhi on Wednesday, offering a brief respite from the storm that has been building across the Islamic world over the remarks made by now suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma against prophet Muhammad.
Iran had summoned the Indian ambassador over what was described by the state media as an “insult’’ to the prophet. South Block will be keen to ensure that the focus of the visit will be stronger ties to move past the shadow of the incident. And, the focus seems to be connectivity and the region. "Wide ranging discussion with FM @Amirabdolahian of Iran. Reviewed our bilateral cooperation, connectivity, health and people to people ties. Exchanged views on global and regional issues including JCPOA Afghanistan and Ukraine,'' tweeted Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar.
Amir-Abdollahian called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The two leaders discussed ongoing bilateral cooperation initiatives. Prime minister stressed that both countries should work to accelerate exchanges in the post-Covid era,’’ according to the ministry of external affairs read out.
The visit comes at a time when India has had some engagement with the Taliban in Afghanistan. India will be keen on ensuring that the Chabahar project is on track. On June 2, the ministry of external affairs said a team of Indian diplomats were on a visit to Kabul “to oversee the delivery operations of our humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan”. The team met senior Taliban leaders—the meeting photographs were released by the Taliban too.
With India choosing the humanitarian plank for the engagement, the Chabahar Port offers an opportunity.
The Chabahar port has handled more than 8,200 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit) and 1.28 million tons of bulk cargo since it opened in December 2018. An alternate route for aid, unlike the wheat consignment that went through by Wagah—very much a result of determined diplomacy with Pakistan earlier this year—India will be hoping to unlock its potential in the future.
“The visit to India is aimed at expanding ties between the two countries and holding strategic consultations over cooperation regarding regional issues and international developments," Iran foreign ministry said in a statement.
In the past two years, India has stepped up engagement with Iran. Jaishankar was the first foreign dignitary to meet President Ebrahim Raisi.
Amir-Abdollahian will travel to Mumbai and Hyderabad too.