Iran, India to counter 'Taliban threat'

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Ali Fathollahi (R)
meets with India's Foreign Minister S M Krishna



Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=137632§ionid=351020101


Top Iranian and Indian officials have agreed to "counter the threat of Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan" and boost their economic and energy ties.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Ali Fathollahi met with Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao in New Delhi where the two sides discussed a range of issues from cooperation in establishing regional security to expanding bilateral ties.

"Ways to stem the influence of the Taliban in Afghanistan and its backers in Pakistan figured prominently in the discussions," Sify News quoted informed sources as saying on Thursday.

The sources added that Tehran and India agreed "to stay in close touch over Afghanistan to safeguard their interests in the wake of the Taliban reintegration process."

Last month, Iranian and Indian officials also reached consensus on pressing forward with the India-aided Iranian Chabahar port to ease New Delhi's access to both Afghanistan and Central Asia.

"They also decided to firm up a regional approach that will include closer cooperation with Russia in averting a Taliban takeover that some fear may happen after US troops begin to withdraw from that country," the report said.

India sees Iranian cooperation crucial to preventing Taliban militants from gaining control of Afghanistan.

Iran's IRNA news agency also reported on Fathollahi talks with India's Foreign Minister S M Krishnaon on a wide range of bilateral issues, including energy and economic ties.