Pranab, Mottaki call for maximising India-Iran economic links

New Delhi, Nov 16 (UNI) External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his visiting Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki today reviewed the bilateral relationship between New Delhi and Tehran and called for maximising its economic potential.

''During the discussions, the two sides reviewed the bilateral relationship with its close, traditional and historical linkages, frequent high level political contacts and economic cooperation,'' a MEA spokesman said, adding they felt that the economic potential of the relationship needed to be ''actualised to the maximum.'' The two sides also discussed the possibilities of closer cooperation in the field of energy, and reviewed the status of the IPI pipeline.

Mr Mukherjee told Mr Mottaki that Indian companies were keen to invest in Iran and the early conclusion of a Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement as well as an agreement for Avoidance of Double Taxation would provide the necessary juridical basis for promoting such investment.

The two sides also discussed regional issues, including Iraq, Afghanistan and the Gulf, the spokesman said, adding the deliberations continued over a dinner hosted by Mr Mukherjee.

The Iranian Foreign Minister also called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh later, and extended to him an invitation, on behalf of President Mahmood Ahmedinejad, to visit Iran.

This is Mr Mottaki's first visit to India since becoming the Foreign Minister, and part of the regular process of high level exchanges between the two countries.

He is accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs Sheikh Attar, Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Director General Eslami, and Deputy Director General Saqaeean.

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