Iran visit to 'positively impact' Indo-Iran ties: PM

TEHRAN: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today wrapped up his two-day visit to Iran, saying the tour was "fruitful" and the outcomes will "positively impact" the ties between the two strategic partners.

"I thank the wonderful people of Iran for the warmth. My Iran visit was fruitful & the outcomes will positively impact our nations," Modi tweeted.

During the visit, the two countries signed 12 agreements including a "milestone" pact on developing the strategic Chabahar port and pledged to combat terrorism and radicalism.

"Khuda Hafez Tehran! A busy day of diplomacy ends as PM @narendramodi emplanes for Delhi," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

Modi who held extensive talks with President Hassan Rouhani also called on Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei before heading home.

Besides the bilateral pact to develop the Chabahar port for which India will invest USD 500 million, a trilateral Agreement on Transport and Transit Corridor was also signed by India, Afghanistan and Iran, which Prime Minister Modi said could "alter the course of the history of the region".

The bilateral agreements signed by India and Iran after detailed discussions between Modi and President Rouhani included one on setting up of an aluminium plant and another on laying a railway line to give India access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

The agreements, aimed at further deepening India-Iran ties in diverse fields, covered areas of economy, trade, transportation, port development, culture, science and academic cooperation.

Modi's visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 15 years, came months after the lifting of international sanctions on Iran following Tehran's historic nuclear deal with the Western powers over its contentious atomic programme. Earlier, the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had visited the country in April 2001.