Iran-India ties have entered into new chapter: Journalist

In an exclusive interview with IRNA here, senior international affairs correspondent of a major Indian media group “the Sahara India Media” Miss Arti Bali said, 'The relations between India and Iran have entered into a new chapter with the Chabahar Port project, increased Iranian crude oil import and lifting of India’s ban on the direct and indirect export and import of certain items to and from Iran following the lifting of the international sanctions on the country.”

Terming the last month step of the Indian government to lift its ban on the export and import of certain items to and from Iran as a big step in this direction, she said, “No doubt, the step will play a significant role in further improving the trade and economic ties between Iran and India as the Islamic Republic can, now, expand its import and export from and to not only India but also many other countries through India.”

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce of India, said in a notification on June 29, 2016 that 'Direct or indirect export to Iran or import from Iran is now permitted subject to UN Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015) and IAEA specified documents.

“The bilateral trade between India and Iran stood at $ 9 billion in 2015-16 as compared to $ 13.13 billion in 2015-2014 but, no doubt, India’s new step will push up the figures in the coming fiscal year.” Miss Arti Bali said

Referring to the visits of Indian’s top officials to Iran during the recent past, she said, “The removal of sanctions on Iran has opened up new vistas for foreign investors in Iran. With the recent back-to-back visits to Iran by India’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan on April 9 and 10 and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on April 16 and 17 and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 22 and 23, New Delhi has sent a clear message that it wants to strengthen its economic ties with Tehran and take advantage of the changing geo-political situation.”

“The Indian private airliner GoAir’s recent announcement of flying to Iran from the early next year is a big development as the India’ fourth largest private airliner has recognized Iran as a promising trade and tourism destination for the Indian traders and tourists in the near future,” she added.

Miss Arti Bali said, “GoAir India Pvt., the fourth largest private airline of India, is planning to establish international flights to 14 countries including Iran as of early next year and its Chief Executive Officer Wolfgang Prock-Schauer have said that the carrier is bidding to be allowed to fly to these countries on a scheduled basis during the summer schedule 2017.”

“Another major development is that one of the biggest shipping companies of India “Shipping Corporation of India (SCI)” will resume sailing to Iran this month after a four-year hiatus,” she added.

Shipping Corporation of India stopped sailing to Iran in 2012 when anti-Tehran sanctions prevented the company from obtaining insurance cover for oil and other shipments.

Miss Arti Bali said, “According to reports, India is set to import at least 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Iranian oil in the year from April 1, with refiners looking to ramp up purchases from the Islamic Republic after a lasting nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.”

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