Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this evening with the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his accompanying delegation. Speaking at the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the history of Iran-India relations and stressed: "The Iranian people have always had a positive attitude towards India, which provides very good grounds for further expansion of relations between the two countries."
His Eminence described India as an important and great power and said that India has achieved good scientific and economic advances. He added: "After the victory of the Islamic Revolution and particularly in recent years, the Iranian nation has done many things in scientific, economic and social areas, which might be unprecedented over the past few centuries."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that the ground has been prepared for strengthening comprehensive relations between Iran and India, further stressing that the two countries can have good cooperation, particularly in areas relating to trade and infrastructure.
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that certain international partners are not reliable as far as cooperation is concerned and added that America is one such partner. "America is a reliable partner only to one government and that government is the Zionist government."
His Eminence said that Iran and India have similar positions on the regional issues, including the issues of Syria and Afghanistan. He stressed that the two countries can expand their relations in the area of regional issues.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that India's stability, independence and power are important for the Islamic Republic and expressed hope that with India's cooperation, Iran will be able to prepare the ground for the Non-Aligned Movement to play a role in important regional and global issues during its three-year term as head of the Non-Aligned Movement.
In the meeting, which was also attended by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Indian Prime Minister referred to the historical relations between Iran and India and stated: "India wants to expand its relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran in different areas, particularly areas relating to energy and infrastructure."
He referred to the agreements that have been signed during India's negotiations with President Ahmadinejad and reiterated: "Good agreements have been signed during these negotiations, which will prepare the ground for further expansion of ties between Iran and India."
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also referred to the regional issues, particularly the issues of Afghanistan and Syria, and stressed that India is opposed to all kinds of foreign interference in Syria and believes that the only solution to the Syrian crisis is one that is based on the views of the Syrian people.
Manmohan Singh reiterated: "During Iran's term as the head of the Non-Aligned Movement, India will try its best to help the movement play a role in regional and global issues."