Iran, India play strategic role in regional stability: Ahmadinejad

TEHRAN, Nov. 6 (MNA) -- Through the use of new slogans and by taking advantage of NATO forces, the former colonialist states are attempting to dominate the world, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told Indian Parliament Speaker Meira Kumar during a meeting in Tehran on Saturday. The hegemons have frozen the assets of Libya while arguing about how to divide the spoils, Ahmadinejad added. Noting that increased cooperation between Iran and India on regional issues can help the efforts to increase peace and stability in the region, the Iranian president stated that undoubtedly, the fact that the major powers are undermining the security of the Middle East shows their ill intent because they fear any form of development by Iran and India. The wars currently underway and the extreme class divisions prevailing nowadays are the direct consequences of the immoral and hegemonistic culture dominating the world, he opined. The major powers have lost out on all economic, political, and cultural fronts, so the world is looking for a new ideology based on morality, he added. Ahmadinejad emphasized the need to increase bilateral scientific and technological cooperation between Iran and India and welcomed the participation of Indian companies in road construction, port, and energy projects in Iran. Pointing to the fact that India was one of the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement (NMA) and is still one of its most important members, he added that the UN’s current strategy will not reform the status quo but collaboration between key NAM members Iran and India can be very helpful in this regard. Kumar said India is keen to expand relations with Iran. Calling the current century the Asian century, she stated that collaboration between Iran and India can enhance stability and increase the security of the region. The Lok Sabha speaker also praised Iran for its great economic achievements, despite the international sanctions.