Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister arrives tomorrow

New Delhi, Sept 6 (UNI) Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mahdi Safari arrives here tomorrow for discussions with Indian leaders on various matters including the Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project.

Official sources said Mr Safari will discuss the progress on the IPI gas pipeline project during meetings with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Petroleum Minister Murli Deora.

Discussions will also be held on strengthening bilateral relations, the sources added.

The visit, coming close on the heels of that of Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed to Iran, assumes significance in the light of the latest developments on the Indo-US Nuclear agreement and the Left's protestations on the issue.

Mr Ahamed who was in Iran last week, met Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.

UNI