TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said that President Hassan Rouhani’s visit to India cemented “centuries-old friendship” between the two countries.

“President Hassan Rouhani State visit to India resulted in many agreements on trade and cooperation, but more importantly, firmly cemented centuries-old friendship between our two nations,” Zarif tweeted on Saturday.

Rouhani started his three-day tour of India on Thursday by first arriving in the southern city of Hyderabad and then in New Delhi on Friday night.

He took the visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was accompanied by Foreign Minister Zarif, Vice President for Economic Affairs Mohammad Nahavandian, Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zangeneh, Transport and Urban Development Minister Abbas Akhoundi, Industry and Commerce Minister Mohammad Shariatmadari and Presidential Chief of Staff Mahmoud Vaezi.

Rouhani met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday.

During the visit, Iran and India signed 9 documents to boost cooperation in key areas of security, trade and energy.

In a meeting with religious scholars and leaders of the Islamic community of Hyderabad, Rouhani said that he bears the message of friendship and brotherhood to the people of India.

NA/PA