Nine agreements signed between India and Iran

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday held substantive and productive discussions on cooperation in trade and investment, energy, connectivity, defence and security and regional issues.After a bilateral meeting between PM Modi and the visiting Iranian President, agreements were signed in areas like double taxation avoidance, extradition, agricultural cooperation, port lease, medicine and others. 'Civilisational connect, contemporary context! PM narendramodi welcomed President of Iran Dr. Rouhani to India. Both leaders held substantive & productive discussion on cooperation in trade & investment, energy, connectivity, defence & security & regional issues,' spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet.

'On sidelines of the bilateral meeting between PM @narendramodi and Iranian President Dr. Rouhani, agreements were signed in areas like double taxation avoidance, extradition, agricultural cooperation, port lease, medicine and others,' he said.Addressing a joint press interaction with Mr Rouhani, PM Modi said, 'the visit by the Iranian president shows how the two sides want to deepen cooperation in key areas, including connectivity.'

Mr Modi said that during his talks with the Iranian president, they discussed threats posed by terrorism, drug trafficking and other challenges.Speaking during the joint interaction, Mr Rouhani said, "We are determined to combat terrorism and extremism."The Iranian leader also said that regional conflicts must be resolved through diplomacy and political initiatives.

PM Modi also appreciated the way the Iranian leader provided leadership in developing the strategically-important Chabahar Port. Expressing concern on the issue of terrorism, Mr Modi said both countries want to see our neighbours free of terrorism. 'The two countries want to see our neighbour Afghanistan safe and prosper. We want to see our neighbours free of terrorism. I thank you for the way you provided leadership in developing Chabahar Port,' the PM told the Iranian President.

Mr Rouhani said relations between the two countries go beyond trade and business. 'It goes back in history,' he said.The countries signed an agreement for exchange of information between the two contracting parties as per latest international standards.It will improve transparency in tax matters and help curb tax evasion and tax avoidance.They also signed an agreement for Avoidance of Double Taxation & Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to taxes on income. The agreement will stimulate flow of investment, technology and personnel from India to Iran and vice versa and prevent double taxation.

Other MoUs signed between the two countries include an MoU between EEPC India and Trade Promotion Organization of Iran.; MoU between Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA); MoU between the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines & Agriculture (ICCIMA) and between PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA).

An MoU on Postal Cooperation has also been signed envisaging cooperation between the two postal agencies including exchange of experience, knowledge and technology in e-commerce/logistics services; cooperation on philately; establishment of working group of experts; feasibility studies on using air and surface transit capacities of both countries. Earlier, Mr Rouhani was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan where he was welcomed by President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Modi.In the morning, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on Mr Rouhani and discussed various issues with him. 
(UNI)