India-Iran Foreign Office Consultations held in Tehran, regional and global issues discussed

The 18th edition of the India-Iran Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) took place in Tehran on Sunday. Leading the Indian delegation was Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, while the Iranian side was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri. In a statement on ‘X’, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi mentioned that the co-chairs, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and Deputy FM Ali Bagheri, engaged in discussions covering a spectrum of topics, including political, trade and economic, cultural, people-to-people ties, connectivity projects such as the Chabahar port, agriculture cooperation, and capacity building.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and Deputy FM for Political Affairs of Iran @Bagheri_Kani co-chaired the 18th 🇮🇳-🇮🇷 FOC in Tehran today.

The two sides took stock of a range of bilateral matters, including political, trade & economic, cultural, people-to-people ties, connectivity… pic.twitter.com/xrqiT7P0Vp

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) November 26, 2023

The officials also exchanged perspectives on current regional and global issues. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, currently on a two-day visit to Iran, met with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Sunday. Their discussions revolved around bilateral concerns, connectivity projects like the Chabahar port, and shared insights on prevailing challenges in the region. “Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra called on FM @Amirabdolahian of Iran in Tehran today. Discussed bilateral matters, connectivity projects including Chabahar port, and shared perspective on current challenges in the region. Both sides agreed to further strengthen the ongoing cooperation in various spheres,” Bagchi wrote on ‘X’. A recent development saw Mahdi Rangrona, Vice President of the Iran-India Joint Chamber of Commerce, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ajay Shai, Director General and CEO of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations. The MOU aims to enhance collaboration in trade, investment, quality standards, and technology transfer. Taking on their social media ‘X’, Iran in India stated, “Mr Mahdi Rangrona, Vice President of Iran-India Joint Chamber of Commerce & Dr Ajay Shai Director General & CEO of @FieoHq (Federation of Indian Export Organizations) Signed MOU to develop cooperation in the fields of investment, trade, quality standards, & technology transfer.” Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi and discussed matters of bilateral and regional importance. The two leaders reiterated their commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, including to realise the full potential of Chabahar Port as a connectivity hub. “Prime Minister highlighted that India- Iran relationship is underpinned by close historical and civilizational connections, including strong people-to-people contacts,” Prime Minister’s Office said in a press release. With inputs from ANI