The formal and last stage of President Rouhani’s trip to India began on Saturday morning with a welcome ceremony in New Delhi, attended by India’s President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking to reporters before start of high-profile meetings, President Rouhani expressed the hope that his visit would raise the level of bilateral ties between Iran and India.
In advance of the ceremony, the Iranian president paid tribute to late Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi by visiting Raj Ghat, his memorial site, and laying a wreath on it.
Heading a ranking diplomatic and economic delegation, president Rouhani began his 3-day visit to India with a trip to Hyderabad, where he held meetings with Iranian people and students residing in India, and with Indian Muslim communities.
Tehran and New Delhi are expected to sign as many as 15 agreements on trade and economic cooperation during the official trip.