Iran urges concurrent fight against terrorism, state sponsors

A senior Iranian official says extremism and Takfiri terrorism threaten security in the Middle East, urging all countries to simultaneously engage in the fight against terrorism and the states sponsoring the scourge.

In a meeting with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in New Delhi on Saturday, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani said the simultaneous campaign against terrorist groups and countries supporting them is the common duty of the international community with the purpose of protecting peace and stability.

Iran-Russia-India security cooperation

He expressed Iran’s readiness to revive trilateral cooperation with India and Russia on security issues in the region, particularly on ways to prevent the spread of terrorism and help establish stability and security in Afghanistan.

The SNSC secretary emphasized that joint efforts should be made to solve any political and historical disputes among regional countries in a bid to prepare the necessary grounds for exploiting all regional capacities to enhance economic, social and cultural development.

Necessity for joint Iran-India stances

Shamkhani further stressed the importance of exchanging views, adopting common stances and improving close cooperation between Tehran and New Delhi on issues of common interest.

He said some regional and global powers are not happy with close and constructive relations between Iran and India and urged the two countries to step up their vigilance and counter all obstacles to the expansion of ties.

The senior Iranian official further said that the resumption of activities at Iran-India joint defensive committee within a new and extensive framework would create an opportunity for the two sides to improve close cooperation in military and defensive sectors.

“Considering the successful record of defensive cooperation between the two countries, arriving at common strategic analyses and methods will be a step in the path of increasing regional capability to establish security and stability,” Shamkhani said.

The senior Iranian official arrived in New Delhi on Friday for an official two-day visit to hold talks with senior Indian authorities on leading regional and international political and security developments.

In a meeting between Shamkhani and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, the two officials discussed mutual ties in economic, political and cultural areas as well as regional and international developments, particularly the fight against terrorism.

India’s readiness to establish strategic relations with Iran

The Indian official, for his part, said India is ready to establish strategic cooperation with Iran given the two countries’ commonalities.

Doval urged countries in West and East Asia to hold constant talks regarding geostrategic developments in this region.

He said New Delhi welcomes its strategic negotiations with Iran, China and Russia on security, political and economic issues.

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