By IANS,
Mumbai : Iran-India trade can be increased from the current $15 billion through more cooperation in areas like energy and industries, Ali Ardashir Larijani, speaker of the Iranian parliament (Majlis) said here Monday.
Larijani urged India to facilitate greater business opportunities and academic collaboration with Iran.
Expediting issuance of student visas by India would help more students from Iran to come and study in India, he said.
“Trade between the two nations can be increased from the current levels of $15 billion by increased cooperation in areas like energy resources and industries,” Larijani said.
The visiting leader’s comments came at a meeting with Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranarayanan here.
Larijani, who is on a visit to India, heads a large delegation of Iranian parliamentarians and ministers
He also pointed out that social, cultural, educational and trade ties between India and Iran are historically deep rooted and mutually influenced each other with commonalities like morality, ethics and family values.
Sankaranarayanan said nearly 8,000 Iranian students are currently studying in various universities in Maharashtra.
He expressed hope that academic and cultural relations between the two nations would further increase in the coming years.