NEW DELHI (IRNA) -- Indian Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament Speaker) Manohar Joshi said on Monday that Indian Parliament and Majlis of Islamic Republic of Iran are both vibrant institutions giving voice to aspirations of their nations through the representatives of their people.

In an exclusive interview with IRNA at Lok Sabha Secretariat, Parliament House, New Delhi, he said that considering the ancient historical and civilizational links between India and Iran, the two Parliaments have a sincere desire to promote and consolidate relations.

He said parliaments in democratic countries also play an important role in national affairs as well as deliberations on foreign policy issues.

The speaker of lower house of Indian parliament said, both countries are unanimous that interaction between the two parliaments would act as an important dimension of bilateral cooperation and forge closer understanding. Keeping this in view, it had been agreed during the visit of Indian Premier Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Iran in April 2001 to set up an India-Iran Parliamentary Friendship Group (IIPFG), he added.

Emphasizing that interactions between Indian Parliament and the Iranian Majlis has been going on a continuing basis with the exchange of high level visits, he said, at the level of Speakers, the then Speaker of Indian Parliament Balram Jakhar had visited Iran in 1987 and the then Iranian Majlis Speaker Nateq Nouri had visited India in November 1996.

"Parliaments of the two countries are committed to furthering the cause of India-Iran friendship," he said.

He said, "Members of the Parliament of India engage in debates over issues of development, betterment of our economy, creation of employment opportunities, progress of science and technology, education, foreign trade, etc. The same domestic issues are also relevant for Iran and are debated within the Majlis. There is so much common behavior between us of learning and exchange of experience from each other, he noted.

"Indian Parliament and Iranian Majlis can contribute forcefully in condemning and removing terrorism from our region and the world by sending a clear signal to perpetrators of terrorism that their actions are unacceptable to the people of India and Iran," he added.

He said President Khatami’s presence as the Chief Guest of India’s Republic Day celebrations signified the deep bonds of India-Iran friendship. Several other important agreements were also signed in the field of energy, science and technology, culture, etc. which are under implementation by the two governments, he added.

Joshi emphasizing the strategic nature of India-Iran relationship said the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Strategic cooperation which sets a five year time bound target for achieving milestones in various areas including bilateral cooperation. Concluding his remarks, he said, "We are sure that under the guidance of the leaderships of the two countries, both countries would continue to strengthen and prosper."