Modi, Rouhani discuss key Chabahar port project

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Thursday discussed wide ranging issues, including the strategically important Chabahar port project in Iran being built by India, besides connectivity, hydrocarbons and threat of terrorism.

Modi and Rouhani met here on the sidelines of the BRICS and SCO summits and discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interest. The two leaders also discussed connectivity, trade and investment, hydrocarbons and threat of terrorism, official sources said.

Rouhani invited Modi to visit Iran and the prime minister said he looked forward to the trip. The two leaders specifically discussed progress on the Chabahar port project being built in Iran's Sistan-Balochistan Province which will give India sea-land access route to Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan.

This is the first highest-level interaction between the two nations after the NDA government came to power last year.

In May, Modi had sent a written message to Rouhani that was handed over to the Iranian president by Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in Tehran.

Gadkari had signed an agreement with Iran for the development of the Chabahar port.