What Will Iran Foreign Minister Araghchi Discuss During His Visit to India on May 7-8?

New Delhi, May 2 (NationPress) Just days after expressing his willingness to mediate between India and Pakistan regarding the Pahalgam terror attack, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is slated to visit New Delhi next week for talks centered on trade and economic collaboration, as per sources on Thursday.

As reported by sources from the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi, Araghchi is anticipated to engage in comprehensive discussions with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar covering all dimensions of the Pahalgam attack alongside various other bilateral, regional, and global matters.

During his visit on May 7-8, the Iranian Foreign Minister will co-chair a session of the bilateral joint commission with EAM Jaishankar, as per sources who requested anonymity.

This visit was planned prior to the escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. It marks Araghchi's inaugural trip to India since his appointment as Foreign Minister last August.

It is noteworthy that this will be the first assembly of the Joint Commission, which primarily concentrates on trade and economic collaboration, since December 2019, when EAM Jaishankar visited Tehran for discussions.

While the Joint Commission is intended to convene annually, its meetings have been disrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic and other domestic priorities of both nations.

A substantive agenda focusing on trade and economic issues, including the development of Chabahar port, has been prepared; however, discussions regarding the India-Pakistan tensions may emerge in Araghchi's conversations with Indian officials.

Araghchi stirred interest in New Delhi by suggesting in a recent social media post that he could help facilitate a deeper understanding between India and Pakistan. This offer coincided with ongoing speculation in diplomatic circles regarding potential back-channel mediation by several West Asian nations with close relations to both countries.

In the aftermath of the attack, India implemented multiple punitive actions, including halting the Indus Waters Treaty and closing the sole functional land border crossing at Attari. In retaliation, Pakistan took countermeasures that included closing its airspace to Indian flights and suspending all trade.

Araghchi, who also spoke with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar last Friday, referred to India and Pakistan as 'brotherly neighbors', highlighting their significance to Iran.

There has been no response from New Delhi to Araghchi's mediation offer, and sources indicate that Iran and Pakistan experienced strained relations last year.

In January 2024, both nations launched missiles targeting militants within each other's territories.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi last Saturday, vocally condemning the Pahalgam terror attack. Both leaders concurred that there is no justification for such terrorist acts, with PM Modi expressing the shared anger and distress of the Indian populace and their resolve to confront those responsible for the attack and their supporters, as per a readout from the External Affairs Ministry.

Pezeshkian underlined the necessity for regional cooperation against terrorism and stated that Iran stands against such 'inhumane acts', according to the Iranian embassy.

Pezeshkian characterized Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru as 'messengers of peace, friendship, and coexistence', expressing hope that their 'spirit will endure in India's relations with all nations.'

In addition to trade and economic matters, the Joint Commission is also responsible for humanitarian issues and is expected to address concerns related to fishermen and seafarers, as stated by sources.

This visit will provide an opportunity for the Iranian delegation to update India on its discussions with the US and key European powers regarding the nuclear issue.

Iran is set to conduct its third round of talks with the US in Rome on May 3, and Iranian officials are also scheduled to meet their French, German, and British counterparts on May 2.