External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral ties, including cooperation in trade and economic affairs, agriculture, healthcare, cultural exchanges, connectivity, and people-to-people ties
Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi during the Joint Commission Meeting in New Delhi, on Thursday. PIC/X
The 20th India-Iran Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) was held in New Delhi on Thursday. It was co-chaired by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi. The two leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral ties, including cooperation in trade and economic affairs, agriculture, healthcare, cultural exchanges, connectivity, and people-to-people ties, news agency ANI reported.
The meeting also featured discussions on regional and global developments of mutual interest. As per a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Indian side briefed the Iranian delegation about the cross-border linkages related to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
In his opening remarks, Minister Jaishankar welcomed Araghchi to India and recalled the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Kazan in October 2024. He stated, “It’s a great pleasure to welcome you and your delegation to India and to co-chair the 20th India-Iran Joint Commission Meeting. In recent years, our cooperation has progressed in many aspects. There are also situations that we need to address. Prime Minister Modi and President Pezeshkian have given us guidance on how to develop our ties further.”
He further noted, “They also had a phone conversation on 26th April. Excellency, this is the 75th anniversary of our diplomatic ties. It is a reminder of the closeness of our collaboration and the deep friendship between us. I'm sure that we will mark the anniversary appropriately.”
According to ANI, the MEA press release stated that both sides strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and emphasized the need for enhanced regional cooperation to counter the threat.
The two countries also welcomed the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) on Medical Products Regulation and the Implementation of the Bilateral Agreement on Customs Cooperation.
The MEA further stated, “Both sides agreed to adopt a humanitarian approach to issues concerning prisoners, fishermen, seafarers, and students, and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in multilateral fora,” reported PTI.
During his visit, Minister Araghchi called on President Droupadi Murmu. In a post on X, the President’s Secretariat stated, “Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Abbas Araghchi, called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Welcoming Araghchi, the President noted that while civilisational and cultural ties between India and Iran go back thousands of years, this visit is taking place on the special occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries,” ANI reported.
Araghchi also held discussions with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed the Iranian dignitary and underlined the significance of his visit.
Meanwhile, amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar referred to ‘Operation Sindoor’, an operation conducted by Indian armed forces in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack. He described India’s response as "measured and targeted" and warned that India would give a "firm response" if faced with a military threat, according to ANI.
(With inputs from PTI)
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