Iranian, Indian ministers stress broadening of relations

Senior Iranian and Indian officials laid emphasis on the development of the relations and cooperation between the two states, specially in the energy sector. They made the remarks during separate meetings of Iranian Oil Minister Rostam Qassemi with Indian Ministers of External Affairs Salman Khurshid and Finance Palaniappan Chidambaram in New Delhi on Tuesday. During the meeting between Qassemi and Chidambaram, the two ministers called for the expansion of bilateral ties in the economic field. During the meeting between Qassemi and Khurshid, the two sides also underlined the necessity for bolstering and reinvigorating bilateral ties and mutual cooperation between Iran and India in various fields. The Iranian oil minister and his Indian counterpart M. Veerappa Moily in a meeting in New Delhi on Monday explored avenues for bolstering and reinvigorating energy relations between the two countries. During the meeting, Qassemi and Moily underlined the need for the further expansion of mutual cooperation between Iran and India in the energy field. The Iranian and Indian oil ministers agreed that India will continue purchasing oil from Iran. Qassemi, heading a high-ranking delegation, embarked on a three-day visit to India on Sunday at the invitation of his Indian counterpart M. Veerappa Moily. The Iranian oil minister noted that Iran and India are willing to expand their mutual cooperation in the energy sector. Iran and India which have deep historical and cultural relations are now seeking to further expand political and economic ties. India, the world's fourth-largest petroleum consumer, is Iran's second largest oil customer after China and purchases around $12bln worth of Iranian crude every year, about 12 percent of its consumption. India and Iran have been holding discussions at regular intervals on issues related to economic cooperation under the joint commission mechanism, which was established in July 1983. The meeting of the Joint India-Iran Commission provided an opportunity to review bilateral economic and cultural cooperation.