NEW DELHI, 19 January 2008 — Iranian Minister of Economy and Finance Davoud Danesh Ja’fari concludes his five-day India visit today on a positive note. During his stay, Ja’fari and Iranian Ambassador to India Sayed Mahdi Nabizadeh spoke to Arab News about US attempt to isolate Tehran diplomatically on the world stage.
Ja’fari dismissed Washington’s claims that Iran has no international support as “untrue and baseless.” Referring to President George W. Bush’s recent tour of the Middle East, the minister said: “Americans want other countries to be frightened of Iran.” Asserting that the United States has not succeeded in this quest, Ja’fari told Arab News: “We have good relations with all countries in the region.”
These countries, including Saudi Arabia, don’t want their relations with Iran to be affected because of US pressure, Ja’fari said.
Despite Washington trying to isolate Iran and project a negative image of its nuclear program, it has not succeeded, Ambassador Nabizadeh told Arab News. “Fortunately, they have not succeeded,” he added.
Referring specifically to the impact of US pressure on Indo-Iranian relations, he said that for a while they have been in “slow motion.” “But they are better now,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of closer economic cooperation between Asian countries, Nabizadeh asserted: “If we work together, we can be better than the European Union.”
Although Ja’fari arrived here Tuesday to participate in a mega international event organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), he held talks on the sidelines with Indian ministers, with focus on bilateral ties and the much-publicized Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline project.
During his talks with reporters, Ja’fari expressed hope that the pipeline project would be finalized soon with the participation of India. “We are eager to have this project finalized to send gas to this region,” he said. “We are waiting for India to join Iran and Pakistan in negotiations,” Ja’fari said.
“Every time, we hold talks, India expresses its eagerness to join the project. But then they say they are not ready yet,” Ja’fari said. “India should make up its mind,” he added.
Asked how long was Iran willing to wait for India to make up its mind, he replied: “As early as possible.”
India has not participated in the pipeline talks since June 2007. Ja’fari expressed hope that India will join the forthcoming round of the talks.
Earlier after his talks with Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora, Ja’fari expressed Iran’s readiness to reopen and negotiate the “now frozen” $22 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) deal signed with India in 2005 offering five million tons of LNG for 25 years.
Iran is ready to give “good concessions to India,” Ja’fari said. “We are ready to offer Iranian gas fields to Indian companies. They could also set up an LNG terminal there. The quantum of LNG to India can be subject to investment in Iran’s oil and gas sector,” he said.
In his talks with External Affairs Minster Pranab Mukherjee, the minister emphasized the need to expand bilateral ties in various fields. They also discussed joint economic projects, including a project for expansion of Iran’s Chabahar port facilities.
Ja’fari was a key speaker yesterday at the Partnership Summit 2008 organized by CII. The theme of the summit was, “Emerging Consensus: Inclusive and Sustainable Development.” The key question, he and other participants focused on were the role the Middle East has to play to promote South-South trade and investment flows and the role South Asia can play to help build mutual growth.
