The official, leading a high-profile commercial delegation
from Iran to India, accompanying Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in his
visit to India, voiced Iran’s readiness to enhance cooperation in the energy
sector with India.
He also called on India to eliminate discriminative tariffs
on Iranian goods.
“India’s rapid pace of economic growth in transforming
science into wealth, the billion-dollar market of the country and its supreme
status in the global economy, on the one hand, and Iran’s rich resources,
efficient and skilled workforce, oil and gas, and the geo-strategic and transit
position, on the other hand, could strengthen and consolidate the foundation of
economic relations between the two countries,” the official added.
He said the elimination of dollar in the transactions
between Iran and India, and the tax incentives offered to Indian buyers of
Iranian oil in rupee could lead to settlement of oil dues to Iran.
According to Shana, Zarif at the Delhi airport said: "Iran
has always been and will be a reliable oil supplier for India.".
"We have decided to take advantage of this opportunity,
and hold meetings with Indian officials with a big economic and political
delegation,” said Zarif.
He said Iran had struck a “good banking agreement” with
India which was signed in fall which allowed for trading goods between the two
countries.
The official also said that the strong presence of private
sector representatives in the Iranian delegation in the visit to India was an
indication of their interest in reaching out to their Indian opposite numbers
for furthering cooperation.
"There are many areas for the expansion of bilateral
relations between Iran and India, one of which is Chabahar," he said.
“The Indians are interested in being present in Chabahar and
in the transit infrastructure of Iran.”