Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met visiting Iranian
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki Thursday to discuss energy
cooperation including pipeline project.
The Indian External Affairs Ministry said in a press release
that the two sides discussed the possibilities of closer
cooperation in energy sector and reviewed the development of
Iran-Pakistan-India natural gas pipeline.
"It was felt that the economic potential of the relationship
needed to be actualized to the maximum," the press release
said.
India urged to reach a Bilateral Investment Promotion and
Protection Agreement and an agreement for Avoidance of Double
Taxation as early as possible.
Indian companies were keen to invest in Iran and the early
conclusion of the two agreements will provide the necessary
juridical basis for promoting such investment, the ministry
said.
The two sides also discussed regional issues, including Iraq,
Afghanistan and the Gulf.
Mottaki also extended an invitation to Singh, on behalf of
Iranian President Ahmedinejad, to visit Iran.
He arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for a two-day visit to
India. Besides the Prime Minister, Mottaki also met Indian External
Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
(Xinhua News Agency November 17, 2006)
