Modi, Iran President explore partnership on Afghanistan, counter-terrorism

PM Narendra Modi on Thursday met Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of Iran, shortly after Iran’s inclusion as one of the new members of BRICS and explored cooperation with regard to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan and counter-terror partnership.

The two leaders also explored partnership in the fields of energy, trade & investment, energy and connectivity including smooth operationalization of the International North South Transport Corridor or INSTC via Iran.

Modi and Raisi also decided to fast-track infrastructure cooperation including the Chabahar Port, India’s gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia, according to officials. Terror emanating from Afghanistan and stability of the landlocked country is a priority for India and Afghanistan.


Last week the two leaders had spoken over phone before their meeting in Johannesburg. Iran was admitted as a full member of the SCO this year under India’s chairmanship of the grouping.

There are plans to link International Chabahar Port with the International North South Transport Corridor or INSTC. Iran is key to INSTC that is playing a key part in boosting Indo-Russian trade over the last one-and-a-half years. During Deputy NSA Vikram Misri’s recent visit to Tehran, India-Iran-Russia held a trilateral for smooth operationalization of the INSTC. Plans are afoot to link the Northern Sea Route with INSTC for linking the Arctic with the Indian Ocean Region.

Established in 2000 by Iran, Russia, and India, this 7,200-km-long INSTC works as a multi-modal network of ship, rail, and road routes for moving freight between India, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia, and Europe.

Modi also met leaders of Ethiopia, Senegal and Mozambique on the sidelines of BRICS Summit to discuss multifaceted cooperation including in defence and economy. Ethiopia has been admitted as the member of the expanded BRICS.