Krishna to meet Ali Larijani

Tehran, May 16 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna will meet the Iranian Parliament's Speaker Ali Larijani later in the day.

Chairing the Parliament, Larijani functioned as the top negotiator on issues of national security, including Iran's nuclear programme, and has also served as the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.

Last year, India had backed an international resolution against Iran over its nuclear programme while making it clear that it was opposed to "a renewed punitive approach or sanctions."

India's vote against Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has upset Tehran.

However, ahead of undertaking his Iran-visit, Krishna stated that he would use the visit to clarify India's position on IAEA vote.

The meeting between the External Affairs Minister and Larijani also assumes significance, as it is taking place in the backdrop of mounting pressure on Iran to stop its Nuclear Programme, from the West that has warned Tehran of imposing severe sanctions.

Krishna, however, will be representing India at the G-15 meet that begins Monday and is expected to hold a bilateral meet with his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki,.

The meet holds significance, as issues like the controversial nuclear energy programme and the proposed Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project are also likely to figure prominently in the bilateral talks. By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)