NSA Ajit Doval speaks to Iran counterpart on trade, defence

NEW DELHI: NSA Ajit Doval spoke to his Iranian counterpart Ali Larijani and discussed expanding cooperation between the two countries including in areas like trade, defence and security and also connectivity with focus on the Chabahar port. The two officials are also likely to meet soon to review bilateral cooperation, official sources said.Amid West Asia tensions, India has continued to maintain that issues related to Iran's nuclear programme should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. India recognises Iran's right to peaceful use of nuclear energy as also the international community's strong interest in an exclusively peaceful Iranian nuclear programme in line with Iran's legal and international commitments.India's participation in the development of Chabahar port provides it an alternative and reliable access route into Afghanistan, utilising Zaranj-Delaram road built in Afghanistan with Indian assistance, and also a reliable and more direct sea-road access route into Central Asian Region. It is also important because of the denial of direct land route access for transit and trade between India and Afghanistan.