Gadkari Attends Inauguration of Iran's Reformist President

Nitin Gadkari, India's Road Transport and Highways Minister, attended the swearing-in ceremony of Iran's new reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian. The event marked the strengthening of Indo-Iranian ties, with discussions including the development of Chabahar Port. Pezeshkian succeeded following President Ebrahim Raisi's death in a helicopter crash.

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday attended the inauguration ceremony of Iran's reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran, underscoring the close ties between the two nations.

Pezeshkian, sworn in as Iran's ninth president, won a run-off election held three weeks after defeating hardliner Saeed Jalili. The election followed the death of hardline President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May.

Gadkari conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's good wishes to Pezeshkian, as per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). "During Minister Nitin Gadkari's interactions in Iran, both sides positively assessed the state of bilateral relations, including cooperation on the development of Chabahar Port," it said.

In a post on 'X', Gadkari congratulated Pezeshkian on behalf of PM Modi, the Indian Government, and the people of India. Both nations reiterated their commitment to mutual growth and furthering relations across various sectors, aiming for the prosperity and development of both countries.

The MEA emphasized that Chabahar Port would boost bilateral and regional trade and provide landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asian countries access to regional and global markets. Located on Iran's southern coast, Chabahar Port is being developed by India and Iran to enhance connectivity and trade ties.

(With inputs from agencies.)