By IANS,
New Delhi : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived here Tuesday on a five-hour stopover visit that is expected to push forward a tri-nation gas pipeline and bolster political and energy ties between India and Iran.
Accompanied by top ministers and aides, Ahmadinejad flew in here aboard his special aircraft from Colombo on his first visit to India after coming to power in Tehran nearly three years ago.
He was received at the airport’s technical area by Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will hold talks with Ahmadinejad at his residence in the evening on a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues, including the much-delayed $7.5 billion pipeline for transporting Iranian gas to India via Pakistan.
Ahmadinejad will also meet President Pratibha Patil and discuss a range of bilateral and global issues.
Manmohan Singh will host a private dinner for Ahmadinejad – a gesture he reserves for special friends of India – before the Iranian president heads back to Tehran in the night.