S.M.Krishna, Iran dy fm discuss mutual issues

New Delhi, Nov 16, IRNA – Iranian deputy foreign minister discussed issues of mutual interest with Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna on the sidelines of the 11th meeting of Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC) here on Tuesday. In the meeting, the Iranian diplomat Mohammad Mehdi Akhoundzadeh conveyed message of the Iranian foreign minister to his Indian counterpart and the two sides discussed world and regional developments as well as bilateral ties. Referring to dual behavior of western countries, Akhoundzadeh said that Iran had good cooperation with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), but the western countries are following certain special goals and the new report of the agency was published under pressure of such behavior. He went on to say that independent states are not satisfied with the report and developing countries are moving toward progress and are trying to find their own stance in international affairs. He added that Iran is opposed with confrontation and believes in dialogue and thinks that problems can be settled by talks. Also, he referred to existing capacities in the two countries and called for promotion of relations. The India foreign minister, by referring to meeting between presidents of the two countries on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and recent visit of the Indian parliament speaker to Tehran, called expansion of ties necessary and important. Krishna said that India is an independent state and takes decision upon its own national interests and in public circles, such as Human Rights Committee, India takes independent stance. The 11th Meeting of Foreign Ministers Council of members states of IOR- ARC with participation of ministers and senior officials from 19 member countries and five members as observers was held in the city of Bangalore. Members states include South Africa, India, Iran, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Bangladesh, Kenya, Mauritius, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mozambique, Seychelles Islands and observers are China, Japan, Egypt, Britain and France./end