Iran FM to visit India, Iraq to boost ties with neighboring, regional states

Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Friday consultations are currently underway over the agenda of the trips that would take Zarif first to India and later to Iraq.

"Zarif will visit neighboring countries in the near future in line with Iran’s permanent and unchangeable policy towards neighbors meant to develop all-out cooperation and deepen economic- trade ties as well as political consultations," he said.

Heading a high-ranking delegation, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an official two-day visit to Iran last May.

Iraq’s President Barham Salih also held talks with senior Iranian officials in Tehran last November.

“Iran’s attitude toward neighboring and regional states have always been positive, seeking peaceful coexistence, better ties along with collective efforts for sustainable peace, stability and security in the region and further expansion of economic cooperation," Qassemi said.

He also stressed Tehran's readiness to cooperate with all the regional states to resolve differences among certain countries in the region.

The spokesman further expressed hope that some regional countries, which previously had "baseless whims" about Iran, would learn a lesson from Iran's attempts to restore stability to the region.

"Iran's record in creating peace and security and restoring calm to the countries of Iraq, Syria and even Yemen is very brilliant," he said, referring to recent intra-Yemeni talks in Sweden and the reopening of foreign embassies in Syria.