India is ready to invest in the petrochemical, tourism and information technology in Iran's Chahbahar FTZ, India's envoy to Iran says.

Considering that the Chahbahar Free Trade Zone is in the process of completing the North-South development corridor, this region is important to India, Munbir Singh said in a meeting with the directors of the Chahbahar Free Trade Zone.

Various Indian teams are currently working to connect Delaram-Zaranj in Afghanistan to Iranian seaports via construction of a strategic road as well as a railroad to increase access to Central Asian markets, IRNA quoted him as saying.

Exchange of information between the two sides can be helpful in introducing Chahbahar's potentialities to Indian investors, which would benefit both sides, he noted.

Vast energy reserves, scientific and technological advancements and a consumer market of over 70 million are some of Iran's attractions for Indian investors, the Indian ambassador said.

For his part, Mohammad Taher Baqerizadeh, managing director of the Chahbahar Free Trade Zone, said that given its unique strategic position, Chahbahar would go far in facilitating India's access to her target markets in Central Asia.

He also called for the implementation of previously signed agreements between the two sides.

Iran is widely seen as a country of particular importance to India for the possibilities it can offer in terms of India's access to Afghanistan and the Central Asian countries, two theaters in which India seeks to project greater influence.

MMM/GM