Iranian, Indian Chambers of Commerce Sign Cooperation MoU

Deputy Head of ICCIMA for International Affairs Mohammad Reza Karbasi and his Indian counterpart signed the MoU, on the sidelines of the Iran-India Economic Forum.

The forum is underway in the Indian capital with a large group of Iranian economic activists, businesspeople, merchants, and bankers attending the event.

A high-ranking politico-economic delegation is accompanying Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in his three-day visit to India.

Earlier on Monday, upon his arrival in New Delhi, Zarif told media that the two countries have reached agreements after the re-instatement of the US unilateral sanctions to keep bilateral trade flow alive. 

He added that the main goal of his three-day visit to India was to attend and deliver a speech at a conference which will be held on Wednesday evening. He meant the annual international conference of the Raisina Dialogue, as it had been announced by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Ghasemi in a statement on Monday morning.

The foreign minister, who is accompanied by a large politico-economic delegation comprised of CEOs of entrepreneur companies from both private and public sectors, also added that he will hold talks with various Indian officials on visit.

He described Iran-India relations as good even after the re-imposition of US sanctions, adding, "We have a good banking deal with the Indians that was signed last autumn and after the sanctions, and this agreement provides the country with the possibility of exporting and importing in addition to meeting other financial needs (of Iran).”

Zarif said that Iran has been and will be a reliable source of oil supply to India.

“We decided to use the opportunity to the accompaniment of a big economic delegation which comprises representatives from the private sector and state political and economic officials who will hold talks with the different Indian counterparts,” he said.

“There are numerous areas of cooperation for boosting Iran-India ties, one of which is Chabahar. Indians are keen on presence in Chabahar and Iran’s transit infrastructures,” he said.

The Iranian top diplomat further said that the large economic delegation accompanying him indicates the interest of the Iranian private sector to grab the opportunity under the unjust sanctions.

He noted that there are many areas for the expansion of bilateral relations between Iran and India, one of which is Chabahar port. He added that Indians are interested in investing in Chabahar and in the transit infrastructure of Iran.

Zarif went on to praise the presence of a large number of knowledge-based firms accompanying him, saying that those enterprises accompany him on almost every trip.

Earlier on Saturday, Iranian Foreign ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said, “Iran has been dealing with neighbors and regional countries in a positive and peaceful way, aiming to improve relations, as well as seeking a collective effort for peace, stability and sustainable security in the region, and further expansion of economic cooperation.”

Expressing that Iran's record in the field of regional affairs is very brilliant, he said Iran wants peace, stability and security in all regional countries, especially in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

“Regular and close communications with neighbors is Iran permanent policy, as it is interested to work for peace and convergence and ironing out differences along with certain regional countries,” the foreign ministry mouthpiece added.