By NNN-IRNA,
New Delhi : The Vice President of Islamic Republic of Iran Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei on Wednesday called on India’s Tourism and Culture Minister Smt. Ambika Soni.
During their hour-long meeting, both sides agreed to increase cooperation in tourism and cultural sectors between India and Iran.
The Iranian official recalling the centuries old historical and traditional ties between the two countries said that there is a need for enhanced cooperation and increased relations between the two countries.
He said Iran and India could work together in the field of conservation and research in Persian language. He said by making contacts at higher level, both the countries could become good example for other countries in the field of friendly ties and cooperation.
He said mysticism, philosophy, mathematics and medical science are some of the areas where India and Iran have been working and can work further to strengthen bilateral ties. He said both the countries could play a meaningful role in the regional cooperation by working closely on issues, which will bring peace and tranquillity to the region.
Ambika Soni welcoming the Iranian official said both countries have rich traditional and historical relations and people in India learn Persian as a language.
She said the element of spiritualism in the lives of the people of the two countries make them different from others and bring them closer to each other because of this commonality.
Soni said in the changing global scenario when everything centres on economic issues, the element of spirituality and culture brings dignity and self-respect to one’s life.
Stressing the need to increase people to people contact between the two countries, Soni said such contacts would give people a first hand opportunity to understand each other better.
She said all efforts would be made to expedite the signing of Cultural Exchange Program and an updated MoU on tourism between India and Iran.
The minister said both the countries could benefit by sharing knowledge on conservation. She also suggested Road Shows by Indian travel agents and tour operators in Iran and said both the countries can offer affordable tour packages to the citizens of India and Iran to increase tourist traffic.
Mashaei, vice president of Iran and the president of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization is in New Delhi to attend the Iranian Cultural Week in India, which began in New Delhi Wednesday.
The first four days of the Iranian Cultural Week in India would commence from April 30, 2008 in New Delhi and the remaining two days will be held in the western Indian city of Mumbai, the business capital of India.