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India and Iran inked a dozen agreements ranging from a contract to develop the strategic Chahabar port to an initial pact to set up an aluminium plant and one on laying a railway line to give India connectivity to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

The agreements and MoUs signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Iran will further deepen the bilateral ties in diverse fields.

Here are the key takeaways:

Chabahar project

India, Afghanistan and Iran signed the trilateral trade treaty for developing the Chabahar port. The strategic location of the port will allow India to access Central Asia through Afghanistan, more importantly skipping Pakistan, and the Persian Gulf as it is the only Iranian port with access to the Indian Ocean.

Modi-Rouhani meet

“We have agreed to consult closely and regularly on combating threats of terrorism, radicalism, drug trafficking and cyber crime,” Mr. Modi said at a joint press conference with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani after the two held one-on-one talks.

Terming the dosti (friendship) between India and Iran as old as history, he said “through centuries, our societies have stayed connected through art and architecture, ideas and traditions, and culture and commerce. Expanded trade ties, deeper connectivity, including railways, partnerships in oil and gas sector, fertilizers, education and cultural sphere are driving our overall economic engagement.”

Talking about a trilateral Transport and Transit Agreement with the participation of Iran, Mr. Modi said, “It will open new routes for India, Iran and Afghanistan to connect among themselves. India and Iran also share a crucial stake in peace, stability and prosperity of the region.”

Culture and technology

An MoU was signed between School for International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran and the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of India.

Also signed was an executive protocol between the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of Iran, and India’s Ministry of Science and Technology and an MoU between National Archives of India and National Library of Iran.

An executive programme of cultural cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance as well as an MoU between Iran’s Islamic Culture and Relations Organisation and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations was also signed.

List of MoUs signed:

(With inputs from PTI)