New Delhi (PTI): In a bid to boost people to people contacts between Iran and India, the two countries will soon sign a new MOU on tourism and start a cultural exchange programme.

All efforts will be made to expedite the signing of an updated MoU on tourism and cultural exchange programme between India and Iran, Union Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni said at a meeting with the Vice-President, Islamic Republic of Iran, Estandiar Rahim Mashaei on Wednesday.

During their hour-long meeting both the sides agreed to increase cooperation in tourism and culture sectors.

The two countries have rich traditional and historical relations. The element of spiritualism in the lives of the people of the two countries make them different from others and bring them closer to each other, Soni said in a press release.

Stressing the need to increase people to people contact between the two countries, Soni said contacts through the cultural programmes will give people a first hand opportunity to understand each other better.