Wednesday, January 22, 2003
Iran, India to hold joint naval exercise
Indo-Asian News Service Tehran, January 22
The Iranian and Indian navies have agreed to hold joint exercises as part of a programme to expand cooperation.
"The two navies will conduct a joint exercise soon," said Iranian Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Abbas Mohtaj, after talks with his Indian counterpart, Admiral Madhvendra Singh, in Tehran on Tuesday, IRNA news agency reported.
This was the first visit by an Indian military chief to Iran in five years. Madhvendra Singh returned to India on Tuesday at the end of a four-day visit.
Mohtaj noted that the Indian Navy had conducted joint exercises with a number of navies and Iran would be the latest.
He said the two sides also discussed expanding educational and technical cooperation between the two navies. "We can benefit from Indian educational and technical experiences," he added.
"I have come to foster naval cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran," said the Indian Navy chief.
He said enhanced defense cooperation would further strengthen India-Iran ties. He referred to the historic cultural relations between the two countries and called for strengthening political and economic ties.
He noted India would have the honour to host Iranian President Mohammed Khatami, who will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on January 26.
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