India,Iran discuss Afghanistan,Chabahar port

Afghanistan and expansion of Irans Chabahar port dominated discussions between visiting Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohd Ali Fathollahi...

Afghanistan and expansion of Irans Chabahar port dominated discussions between visiting Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohd Ali Fathollahi and the Indian leaders on Friday.

Fathollahi dismissed fears that Iran sanctions imposed by the UN and the US would have any drastic impact on its trade ties with Asian countries,including India.

Saying that Iran and Indias views on the situation in Afghanistan are close,Fathollahi said his country did not give much importance to the leaked US military documents showing that Pakistans ISI was supporting the Taliban.

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We have suspicion about these documents because the issues raised in them are not new… By raising these issues at this very specific time,we believe special objectives and goals are being followed to create an atmosphere, he said after his meeting with External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and his deputy Preneet Kaur.

Asked when the Chabahar port will become functional,Fathollahi said soon fundamental changes would be made to it,and made a strong pitch for funds for developing the port that would help deepen Indias reach in Afghanistan and Central Asia.