Iran, India Discuss Bilateral Ties, Regional Developments | ||
Iran, India Discuss Bilateral Ties, Regional Developments President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has met with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the 16th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in Tehran. During a meeting, the two leaders highlighted the significance of the gathering as a unique opportunity to discuss ways of countering political unilateralism and protect countries against foreign aggression. President lauded the growing economic, scientific, and cultural relations between the two countries, and called for a trading system based on the two countries’ national currencies. Dr.Ahmadinejad also described India as an important stabilizing power in the region. “India’s cooperation is a major factor in restructuring and creating new opportunities for the Non-Aligned Movement and its accomplishments,” he stated. The two heads of state also discussed the foreign-fueled unrest in Syria, stressing the importance of resolving the crisis through diplomatic means. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stressed the necessity for resolving the Syrian crisis through non-military means, underlining that solution to the Syrian problem should be presented and accepted by the country's people and government. President said, "Unfortunately, interferences in Syria are too many and we witness that certain states formally render support for the opposition to spread clashes." He further blamed the trans-regional actors for aggravating conditions in a number of regional countries, and reminded the dire consequences of the western powers' intervention in a number of regional states, including Afghanistan. The president further stated that Iran and India share identical stances on the Syrian issues, and said, "We all believe that the solution to the Syrian crisis should be non-military and rise from the will of the Syrian nation and government." He said the ground should be paved for the Syrian government and the opposition to sit to the negotiating table and work out an "agreement over a mutually acceptable national political plan to end the present crisis". "Our main concern is over the future of Syria, because this country is comprised of various peoples and all historical rifts and disagreements have now been provoked in this country and we are concerned that Syria might be stuck with domestic conflicts for a long period of time and, as is witnessed in a number of nations, these conflicts spread to Syria's neighbors," the president continued. He further voiced Iran's readiness to start joint efforts to restore peace and tranquility in Syria, and mentioned, "I believe that the Non-Aligned Movement's capacity and umbrella provides a good opportunity for cooperation among the member states on Syria and for efforts to restore clam in that country."
The Indian premier, for his part, said his country believes that military action cannot resolve the crisis in Syria, "and this problem should be resolved relying on political processes and with attention to the demands of the people and government of Syria." "The solution to the Syrian crisis should come from within the country and rise from the interests and demands of that country's nation," reiterated Manmohan Singh, who arrived in Tehran earlier today to attend the 16th NAM summit and also meet Iranian officials over the expansion of bilateral ties and cooperation.
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