New Delhi : “The defence relations between Iran and India are going through a growing process in the framework of the comprehensive relations”, Iraj Elahi, an envoy of Iran in India said on Iranian Army Day celebration in the Indian capital on Monday.
Iran ambassador Dr Iraj Elahi, while speaking on the occasion, highlighted the importance of India and Iran relationship. He said, “participation of the Minister of Defense of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Defense Ministers’ Meeting, the Indo-Iranian defense relations will be further strengthened in a dynamic bilateral and multilateral format.”
While pointing on current geopolitics especially in West Asia region, Ambassador Elahi said, “the sensitive and geopolitical position of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the turbulent region of West Asia has increased the importance of the armed forces in maintaining the stability and security of this region”
Talking on Palestine issue, Dr. Iraj Elahi added, “the occupation of the Palestinian and the displacement of its oppressed people, the huge energy resources of the Persian Gulf and foreign interference in this region, during the past century, have always made the West Asian region full of instability and crisis.”
“In recent years, the emergence of terrorism in the region has increased the intensity of instability and insecurity in the region”, he further stated.
On Army Day, Ambassador of #Iran said, "the defense relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of #India are going through a growing process in the framework of the comprehensive relations between the two countries."@Iran_GOV https://t.co/cG6cn2nSpr pic.twitter.com/mCNIMnDdDa
— Dr. Shahid Siddiqui (@shahidsiddiqui) April 24, 2023
Iran will attend the SCO summit as a full member of the organisation for the first time under India’s presidency of the group. The meeting of the ministers of defence of member states will held in the capital on 27-28 April.
On this occasion, Lt Gen Dinesh Singh Rana- Director General of Defence Intelligence Agency Govt. of India was also present as a chief guest. Ambassadors of Russia, Belarus, Nepal, Myanmar and Syria were also there among other diplomats to celebrate Army Day of Iran.
Highlighting India’s commitment to strengthen bilateral ties with Iran,Director General of Defence Intelligence Agency – Lt Gen Dinesh Singh Rana said, “we are working towards expanding towards bilateral Millitary cooperation to newer domains in the near future, and I am sure that our friendship will continue to grow stronger in coming years.”
“India and Iran share a millennia long history of interaction. In modern times, India and Iran have a comprehensive partnership based on strong mutual trust, with defence cooperation being a significant aspect of the same”, Lt Gen D S Rana further added.
However, earlier last week on Tuesday in Tehran, a ceremony to mark Army Day was held near the mausoleum of the late founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Khomeini, with the participation of senior government and military officials, including President Ebrahim Raisi.
During the ceremony, a wide range of military hardware, including missiles, tanks, armored vehicles, rifles, drones, fighter jets, radar systems and missile defense systems were put on display.
Addressing the ceremony in Tehran, President Ebrahim Raisi delivered a warning to the extra-regional forces present in the region, especially those with the American military, saying it will be in their own interest if they leave as soon as possible.
In Tuesday’s speech, Raisi also singled out the US as a destabilizing force in the Middle East. “The extra-regional and American forces must leave the region as soon as possible, because it will be to the benefit of themselves and the region,” he said.
-Dr. M Shahid Siddiqui (PhD), Follow via Twitter @shahidsiddiqui
