Live: Trilateral Agreement Signed Between India, Iran, Afghanistan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be receiving an official ceremonial welcome on the second day of his visit to Iran.

PM Modi has departed from Tehran for Delhi after a two-day visit.

PM Narendra Modi spoke at the inauguration of international conference in Tehran, Iran. Modi also released a rare manuscript which is the Persian translation of the Panchatantra.

Here are the highlights of his speech:

• It is an occasion to recall and renew India-Iran’s centuries old association.
  
• It is also in perfect response to those who preach radical thoughts in our societies.

• A part of Iranian culture lies in every Indian heart and, part of Indian heritage is woven into Iranian society.

• Richness of Persian heritage is an integral part of the fabric of Indian society.

• The great medieval poets of India have called Persian and Sanskrit as sisters.
  
• In the richness of Iranian culture, who can forget the poetry and beauty of its Persian language.
  
• India’s religious epic Ramayana which has seen over a dozen translations in Persian is known to have about 250 words of Persian.
  
• The spirit of Sufism is also reflected in the Indian concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, the World as one family.
  
• Our ancients heroes and epics bear striking parallels,dargahs of Ajmer Sharif and Hazrat Nizamuddin in India are equally revered in Iran.
  
• Mahabharata and Shahnama, Bhima and Rustam, Arjuna and Arsh exhibit similarities in our world views & values. It served as a court language in medieval India. But, its popularity is also because it is written on the hearts of the Indians.
  
• Your deliberations indeed provide a body of strength to our literary, academic and people to people ties.
  
• Crafts like Zardozi, Guldozi and Chanderi maybe a part of Iranian Society. They’re equally common in India too.
  

PM: The great medieval poets of India have called Persian and Sanskrit two sisters. pic.twitter.com/8vbV8cepQ7

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) May 23, 2016

Highlights from Modi’s speech:

• Today we are witnessing history being created in the region. The agenda for economic engagement is a clear priority for us (India-Iran).
  
• We want to link with the world but better connectivity among ourselves is also a priority. Even through the turmoil of history, our societies never lost touch with each other.
  
• In-flow of capital and technology can lead to new industrial infrastructure in Chabahar.
  
• The Trilateral Transport and Transit Corridor will be a corridor of peace and prosperity for our people.
  
• The Chabahar Agreement will expand trade, attract investment, build infrastructure, and create jobs for our youth.
  
• It is a place to realise the imperative of better connectivity, establish peace, build economic prosperity and engineer new trade ties.
  
• It is a place to realise the importance of curbing radicalism, removing the shadows of terror, and spreading the sweetness of familiarity between our people.
  

The Pact Can Alter the Course of Region’s History: Modi

Talking about the trilateral Transport and Transit Agreement involving Iran and Afghanistan, Narendra Modi said, “It will open new routes for India, Iran and Afghanistan to connect among themselves.”

We wanted to prove that geography is not our destiny. With our will we can change geography. Hundred years from now, historians will remember this day as the start of regional cooperation. 

Ashraf Ghani, President of Afghanistan

Tehran (Iran): Ceremonial signing of trilateral agreement between India, Afghanistan & Iran on transport & transit. pic.twitter.com/pwkZTvImTd

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 23, 2016