TEHRAN- Iraj Elahi, the ambassador of Iran to India, has said that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will pay a visit to India later this year. 

The ambassador spoke to ABP LIVE, saying that New Delhi should leverage its ties with the U.S. to put pressure on Israel to stop the "massacre in Gaza."

Iran is hopeful that India will resume buying crude from it as it used to before May 2019, when the purchases ceased on account of United States sanctions on the West Asian country, Iraj Elahi, the Iranian Ambassador to India, told ABP LIVE.

Tehran assures safeguards for Indian oil companies against the sanctions, the envoy said, adding that President Raisi will be undertaking a visit to India later this year to enhance bilateral ties and take forward the Chabahar Port project. 

Elahi also said India can play a crucial role in West Asia and leverage its close relationship with the U.S. to “put pressure on Israel” to stop the “massacre in Gaza”. 

The Iranian ambassador’s comments come just over a week after the country launched ‘Operation True Promise’ against Israel’s airstrikes on an Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, earlier this month, escalating tensions amid the ongoing Hamas-Israel war. 

Back in late March, Indian ambassador to Iran, Rudra Gaurav Shresth, admired Nowruz, the venerable Persian New Year celebration, as one of the most significant festivities worldwide.

Shresth emphasized the profound importance of Nowruz to the Persian-speaking populace of India, remarking that the festival holds a special place in their hearts, underscoring the deep cultural connections between Iran and India, IRIB reported.

“Among the Persian-speaking people of India, Nowruz is a cherished celebration,” the envoy said, affirming the festival's enduring appeal and its ability to bridge cultural divides.

Nowruz, originating from Iran, has transcended borders to become a cherished global tradition. And in India, the arrival of the new year is celebrated with joyous festivities, he said.

Celebrated for millennia, the ancient festivity marks the beginning of spring and is observed by millions of people around the world, symbolizing renewal, hope, and the triumph of light over darkness. Nowruz, held annually on March 21st, heralds the New Year and the rejuvenation of nature. Across various nations, this joyous occasion fosters peace, prosperity, and unity among communities, acknowledging the significance of our diverse identities.