Iranian Prez to begin his India visit from Hyderabad

Announcing the state visit by the Iranian president, the external affairs ministry said Rouhani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will review the progress achieved in bilateral relations.

Official sources in Hyderabad said Rouhani will arrive at Begumpet Airport on Thursday afternoon and will later address Muslim intellectuals, scholars and clerics.

This will be the first visit to India by Rouhani after taking charge as the Iranian president in August 2013.

"During the forthcoming visit of the president of Iran, both sides would review the progress achieved in bilateral relations and also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest," the ministry said in a release.

In New Delhi, apart from holding extensive talks with Modi and other Indian leaders on key bilateral and regional issues, the Iranian leader is also scheduled to deliver a special address at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) on Saturday.

During the meetings, Rouhani and Indian leaders will discuss "the latest regional and global developments and the finalisation and exploitation of Chabahar port as soon as possible...," according to an Iranian media report ahead of the visit.

This "can be very effective for bilateral trade in the region and mutual access of Afghanistan to regional and international markets", it said.