India welcomes Iran nuclear deal

New Delhi, Nov 24:

on Sunday welcomed the deal reached between

and the six world powers on

's

that seeks to curb the Islamic republic's nuclear development programme in exchange for lifting some sanctions.

"India welcomes the prospect of resolving questions related to Iran's nuclear programme through dialogue and diplomacy," the ministry of external affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said.

The deal - between Iran and the US, France, Germany, Britain, China and Russia - was arrived at early Sunday in Geneva after more than four days of negotiations.

According to it, Tehran is to halt progress on enrichment capacity and on the heavy water reactor at Arak.

Tehran is to halt progress on enrichment capacity.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said, "I hope we can start restoring the lost confidence."

"The Iranian people demand respect for their rights and dignity, it is important to restore their confidence and I hope this process can do that," he added.

US President Barack Obama said a nuclear deal with Iran is an "important first step" towards addressing the world's concerns over the Islamic republic's disputed nuclear programme.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said the deal does not recognise Iran's right to enrich uranium.

IANS