Vajpayee's Visit to Iran Will Bring Peace, Stability to Region, Analysts Believe
Political pundits believe that Vajpayee's visit will pave the way for better Tehran-New Delhi relations in all known areas of cooperation.
Iran's prominent journalist Hassan Rassouli voiced his optimism about the outcome of Vajpayee's visit, saying, "It (the visit) will herald a new era in Indo-Iranian ties in political, economic and social areas."
The TEHRAN TIMES Editorial Board Coordinator, Rassouli, added, "Mr. Vajpayee's visit will cultivate a healthy political and economic atmosphere in the region based on mutual understanding."
Talking to the TEHRAN TIMES, an analyst Ms. Tahera Sultan said, "Iran and India have an ancient history of bilateral relations in political, social, cultural and economic areas.
"There is no doubt that Iran and India, through bilateral or multilateral cooperation, can bring peace, stability and prosperity to the entire region," she stressed.
Referring to a gas pipeline project that is expected to transfer Iranian gas to India via Pakistan, she noted, "It will not only provide the cheapest and cleanest source of energy to the regional countries, but it will also serve as a major source of national income."
She brushed aside the doubt cast over the future of the pipeline by some who describe it as risky, and who argue that Pakistan and India are archenemies.
Like Ms. Sultan, Rassouli also believes that the gas pipeline will help to bring India and Pakistan, the so-called "archenemies", closer together.
"I don't believe that India and Pakistan are archenemies, as both have a lot to exchange in terms of economy, politics and culture, but not bullets," Rassouli noted.
"If both India and Pakistan prioritize their national interests, the sky will be the limit to their cooperation and progress," he pointed out.
However, contrary to the Iranian analysts' belief, a Pakistani Urdu daily **** Nawa-e Waqt **** voiced its concern over growing relations between Iran and India.
The daily, in its editorial, said that the defense agreement between Iran and Pakistan's enemy, India, is a major source of concern for all the Muslims. The daily asked the country's Foreign Ministry to take the necessary action in this respect.