Iran calls for deepening cultural bonds with India

New Delhi, May 1: After moves to push energy cooperation, Iran is seeking to forge deeper ties with India through cultural diplomacy. A day after the visit of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's Vice-President, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaee spoke extensively on expanding cultural ties with India by inaugurating the Iran Culture Week here.

Addressing the gathering, Mashaee urged both India and Iran to expand ties of friendship by introducing each other to plenty of capacities shared by both countries."We have got plenty of capacities that we should introduce to each other and by recognising those capacities, we should try to expand our friendship based on the expanding of our culture and also on understanding," said Mashaee. He further added that both countries should stand by each other and use the privilege they have to provide a glorious prototype for human beings. Iranian artistes enthralled at the event that aims to familiarise Indians with Iranian culture.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit was primarily aimed at pushing to sealing a 7.6 billion dollar pipeline deal linking the world's second-largest gas reserves to Pakistan and India.

ANI