Iran wants to expand ties with India: Envoy

 

Addressing the United Economic Forum (UEF) summit here, Ansari recalled his country’s links with Tamil Nadu, saying the state had received Iranian investment in oil as early as in 1965 into the then Madras Refineries Limited.

 

The Iran Ambassador said his country wanted to expand ties with both Tamil Nadu and rest of India. Ansari described India as a top country in the region to expand relations with in the wake of post-sanctions Iran. “Definitely that can be the best contribution for the security and development of the region,” he said.

 

“In the post-sanctions era, Iran’s focus will be on cooperation with neighbours and countries that were friendly during the difficult period of sanctions,” he said adding that India was top on the list.

 

Ahmed A.R. Buhari, president of the UEF, said the forum’s mission was to facilitate Rs 10,000 crore of economic enhancement for its members by 2020 through opportunities enabled by Make in India, Tamil Nadu Vision 2023, supported by sovereign wealth funds, Islamic funding, private equity, government schemes and bank finance. UEF will also assist them in liaison with government departments for their requisite regulatory permits and approvals.