TEHRAN The visiting Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee here on Wednesday referred to various commonalties between India and Iran and stressed that the time has come to reinvigorate bilateral relations in all areas including energy, education, culture, science and technology, economy and commerce, agriculture and industry.

Addressing the Islamic Consultative Assembly, Vajpayee stressed that Tehran-New Delhi bilateral cooperation should benefit the entire region.

"I come to your great country to renew the strong civilization links between India and Iran. We have known and interacted with each other throughout history. It has been a deep and abiding interaction. There has been an uninterrupted dialogue. Its tempo may have varied at times, but it was never broken. In our two countries, language and literature, art and architecture, philosophies and cultural traits all bear the enduring stamp of this continuing dialogue and interaction," he said elsewhere in his speech.

Following Vajpayee's address to Majlis session, he was asked by the reporter of the TEHRAN TIMES on the prospect of the two countries' relations.

"We have lots of potentials to be utilized, especially in the field of commerce. Iran and India can also develop their cooperation in fields of science and technology," he responded.

Vajpayee pointed out, "During my stay in Iran many agreements were signed. This is the sign of promotion of bilateral relations."

Talking to the TEHRAN TIMES reporter he added, "I have spent all my life in Parliament and was happy to attend a session of Iran's Majlis."

On the same day, Vajpayee met with Iranian Majlis Speaker Mahdi Karrubi. In the meeting the two sides stressed promotion of parliamentary cooperation, saying the parliaments of the two countries could play an important role in further expansion of bilateral ties.

Karrubi said Iran-India friendship commission had been established in the Indian Parliament and that the commission would start its work in the Iranian Majlis.

Meanwhile, visiting Indian prime minister and his accompanying delegation on Wednesday paid tribute to the Founder of the Islamic Republic, the late Imam Khomeini.

Attending the mausoleum of the father of the Islamic Revolution in southern Tehran, the Indian premier laid a wreath on his tomb and prayed to the Almighty that his soul rest in peace.

According to another reporter, Iran and India on Tuesday signed seven agreements including the Tehran Declaration which was signed between Iranian President Mohammad Khatami and the visiting Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee.

Agreements included various topics such as energy, water, trade and science, which were signed by Iranian ministers and the Indian delegation accompanying Vajpayee.

The Indian PM, heading a senior politico-economic delegation, arrived here on Tuesday on a four-day official visit to the Islamic Republic.