Natwar arrives in Iran on 3-day visit

External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh arrived in Tehran on a 3-day visit on Friday, marking New Delhi's first high-level political contact with Iran's new government.

Natwar to consolidate partnership with Iran

Singh, who arrived by a special Indian Airlines plane, was received by his counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki at the Mehrabad Airport. The prime minister then drove to the tomb of Iranian supreme leader Ayotollah Khomeini and paid his respects to the architect of the 1979 Iranian revolution.

"Our good relations are to benefit not only the 2 countries but also the entire region. I am confident that my visit will further strengthen our relations and expand opportunities for mutual cooperation," he told reporters.

During his stay in Tehran, Singh will explore ways to further consolidate the "strategic" partnership, particularly in the energy sector, and hold talks on the Iranian nuclear issue.

He will call on new Iranian President Mahmud Ahmedinejad on Saturday besides holding wide-ranging talks with Mottaki on bilateral relations, and regional and international matters of mutual concern.

Iran's nuke negotiator meets Natwar Singh

Singh, who is leading a 5-member delegation, including Secretary (East) in the External Affairs Ministry, Rajiv Sikri, will also interact with Iran's supreme National Security Council Secretary and new chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani on the nuclear issue.

Larijani was in New Delhi earlier this week and held parleys on the nuclear issue with Singh and National Security Advisor M K Narayanan.

Singh said the two countries had "excellent" relations and he hoped to have an indepth exchange of views on all issues of mutual interest.

Responding to questions, the Iranian foreign minister said his visit will lead to a "new era" of bilateral ties. "All issues will be discussed in detail," he said at the airport.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has set September 3 as the deadline for Iran to stop its nuclear work, weeks after Tehran defied the earlier directive by breaking the United Nations seal on its Isfahan plant.

Iran has also threatened to re-start work on its Natanz facility soon.