Rouhani calls on P5+1 to seize nuclear deal opportunity

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has highlighted his administration’s determination to pursue nuclear talks with the P5+1 countries, urging the six-party group to seize the opportunity of negotiations for a final comprehensive deal on Tehran’s nuclear program.

“Iran has already taken necessary steps, and now it is the other side’s turn to seize the opportunity,” Rouhani said in a meeting with India’s visiting National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in Tehran on Tuesday.

President Rouhani made a reference to the “good progress” in the talks, noting, however, that “we are far from a final agreement.”

Iran and the P5+1 countries – Russia, China, France, Britain, the United States and Germany – are seeking to seal a high-profile political deal by the end of March and to confirm the full technical details of the accord by July 1.

The scale of Iran’s uranium enrichment and the timetable for the removal of anti-Iran sanctions are seen as the major stumbling blocks in the talks.

Iran has so far suspended some of its enrichment program in return for certain sanctions relief.

Iran-India ties

President Rouhani also pointed to the “influential and strong” position of Iran and India in the region, saying their cooperation can help improve bilateral and regional development.

“Tehran welcomes further expansion of cooperation with New Delhi with the purpose of establishing and strengthening regional peace and security,” the president stated.

He further noted that Iran and India could boost their cooperation in the development of ports, construction of North-South corridor, petrochemical industry, steel, pharmacy, medical equipment, science and research.

India’s stance on Iran

For his part, the Indian official referred to the two nations’ capacities to boost bilateral exchange, adding that New Delhi calls for enhanced ties with Tehran.

Doval noted that Asian countries would have a leading role in international developments and emphasized that Iran, China and India must play a more active part in global politics and economy.

He also hailed the Iranian administration’s efforts to develop the country’s southeastern Chabahar port and turn the port of Jask into an industrial zone, saying India’s private sector is keen to invest in those regions’ projects.