Wednesday, Oct 20, 2004
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India & World
By Atul Aneja
MANAMA, OCT.19. With American forces positioned along its borders in Iraq and Afghanistan, Iran's top leaders have discussed the situation in both these countries with the National Security Adviser, J.N. Dixit. Mr. Dixit is the highest-ranking Indian official to visit Iran after the United Progressive Alliance Government assumed office. "The visit has high symbolic value as it shows continuity and a desire by both countries to add greater content to their relationship," diplomatic sources told The Hindu. On Monday, Mr. Dixit met the Iranian President, Mohammad Khatami, the Chairman of the Expediency Council, Ali Akbar Rafsanjani, the head of the National Security Council, Hassan Rouhani, and the Speaker of the newly elected Parliament (Majlis), Gholam-Ali Haddad Adel. Mr. Dixit's talks follow a visit last month by Indian naval warships to Iran's Persian Gulf port of Bandar Abbas.
Pipeline project
Both sides discussed the proposed Iran-India gas pipeline through Pakistan. Mr. Rafsanjani said that a rapprochement between New Delhi and Islamabad would help implement this project. He pointed out that the pipeline would have a regional impact as it would encourage development and enhance security among the three countries. Reports in the Iranian media quoted Mr. Dixit as saying that the subject of the gas pipeline would be on the agenda of the next round of India-Pakistan official level talks. An External Affairs Ministry statement said that India and Iran had agreed to focus on tie-ups in the fields of energy, transit and trade. The Iranian daily, Tehran Times, in remarks attributed to Mr. Dixit, said that India was ready to cooperate with Iran to help maintain security in Iraq. Iran exercises considerable influence, especially among Iraq's majority Shia community. Sources, however, pointed out that Iraq was one among the several topics that came up for discussion, and the two sides talked about the situation in Afghanistan at greater length. India and Iran have worked actively together to end Taliban rule in Afghanistan, and Mr. Rouhani, during talks with Mr. Dixit, called for reinforcing this interaction in the future. On the controversy over Iran's alleged nuclear weapons programme, the Iranian side apprised Mr. Dixit of its efforts on peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Mr. Rouhani said Iran would defend its legal rights within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), continue its peaceful nuclear activities and strive to gain global recognition of its stance.
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