The Hindu : Karnataka News : Iranian delegation meets Speaker

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 04, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

Iranian delegation meets Speaker

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, MARCH 3. A 31-member delegation of the Iranian House of the Islamic Consultative Committee (Parliament), headed by the Speaker of the Committee, Gholam Ali Haddad Adel, today called on the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Krishna, and the acting Chairperson of the Legislative Council, V.R. Sudarshan, at the Vidhana Soudha.

Welcoming the delegation, Mr. Krishna gave a brief account of the State's history, culture, working pattern of the legislature, the State's programmes on education, growth of industries, developments in technology and their contribution to the agricultural economy and the landmark achievements of the State in information technology (IT).

IT exports

Explaining the role of IT in the economy, he pointed out that 822 software companies in the State have an annual export revenue of $1.2 billion.

In response, Dr. Adel said Karnataka, particularly Bangalore, is familiar to the people of Iran, as many Iranians have studied in the State. The delegation is aware of the State's achievements in the industrial and IT sectors, and they are happy to be in Bangalore for a day.

Asked about feeling among Iranians on the talks held on laying a gas pipeline between Iran and India via Pakistan, he said Iran is for the project. On the reported American threat, he said, "Iran is basically a peace-loving country and is used to such threats."

Representing the Government in the absence of the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, who could not come as he was attending a meeting of the Cabinet, the Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, H.K. Patil, exchanged pleasantries with the delegation.

Mr. Sudarshan said that as in Iran, Karnataka too has many literary and cultural bodies, and cultural exchanges will help strengthen the existing ties between the State and Iran.

Visits IT park

During its brief stay, the delegation also visited International Tech Park at Whitefield and Alipur in Kolar district, where a hospital has been built with Iranian assistance, and met Iranian students in Bangalore.

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