Modi Arrives in Iran; Invokes India's 'Civilisational Ties'

Tehran: Invoking India's "civilisational ties" with Iran, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew on a two-day visit, saying his talks with the Iranian leadership would provide him an opportunity to advance the "strategic partnership" between the two countries.

On the first day of his visit that is expected to strengthen trade, investment and energy ties with Iran, Modi began his engagements paying obeisance to the capital city's only functioning gurudwara.

Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to travel to Iran in 15 years on a bilateral visit after Atal Bihari Vajpayee, offered obeisance at the Bhai Ganga Singh Sabha Gurudwara and also spoke to the head priest.

He applauded the efforts of the Sikh community in the Persian Gulf nation for preserving and spreading the culture and tradition of India.

"We accept all the people as our own and absorb them in our society because we believe in the philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' -- the entire world is one family. Animated by this spirit, we Indians make every country our home," Modi told the gathering at the gurudwara.

In 2012, the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on a visit here to attend the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit could not visit the gurudwara, but his wife Gursharan Kaur paid her respects there.

After landing in Tehran, Modi tweeted, "Reached Iran, a land with whom India shares civilisational ties. Hope to enhance economic partnership between our nations. I also hope my Iran visit further cements cultural and people-to-people ties between India and Iran."

Ahead of his arrival, Modi in a series of tweets said, "Enhancing connectivity, trade, investments, energy partnership, culture and people to people contacts would be our priority."

"My meetings with President Rouhani and Hon'ble Supreme Leader of Iran will provide an opportunity to advance our strategic partnership," the Prime Minister added.

Modi's visit is expected to see India and the Persian Gulf nation working on enhancing economic partnership that includes a possible deal on developing the strategic Chabahar port.