TEHRAN - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says Iran and India share many common interests, underlining the opening of a new chapter in ties between Tehran and New Delhi.

In a meeting with Indian Minister of Shipping, Road Transport, and Highways Nitin Gadkari in Tehran on Wednesday, Rouhani hailed the friendly and historical relations between the two nations, saying that bilateral ties would definitely increase every day.

The Iranian president urged the expansion of trade exchange between the two countries, saying that the economies of Iran and India can complete each other.

He also referred to the Iran-India joint project to develop Chabahar port in southeastern Iran, and described it as the opening of a new chapter in bilateral relations.

“We welcome the presence of Indian investors in the development of Chabahar port and other southern ports as well as the construction of roads and railroads,” Rouhani added.

The Indian minister, for his part, officially expressed his country’s willingness to develop the Chabahar port, adding, “New Delhi is interested to have an active presence in Iran in the fields of ports, roads, and railroads; and we believe that cooperation in Chabahar port can help increase bilateral economic ties.”

Gadkari also submitted the written message of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to president Rouhani.

MD/S