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DOCUMENT No.
4
The Republic Of India And The Islamic Republic Of Iran "The New Delhi
Declaration"
During the four-day official state visit of Iranian President
Seyed Mohammad Khatami, he and Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee
signed the Delhi Declaration, in New Delhi, on January 25, 2003. The
Declaration proposed a strategic partnership between India and Iran for a more
stable, secure and prosperous region and for enhanced regional and global
cooperation. India and Iran agreed that there was no room for double standards
in the combat against international terrorism. They reiterated the resolve to
work for an early finalization of a Comprehensive Convention against
International Terrorism.
Presented below is full text of the Declaration
25 January, 2003
Vision of a strategic Partnership for a more stable, secure and
prosperous region and for enhanced regional and global cooperation The
Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Iran:
Conscious of the vast potential in the political,
economic, transit, transport, energy, industries, science and technology and
agricultural fields and of the benefits of cooperative endeavour,
Determined to build a strong, modern, contemporary
and cooperative relationship that draws upon their historical and age-old
cultural ties, the advantage of geographical proximity, and that responds to
the needs of an inter-dependent world of the 21st Century,
Aware that their strengthened bilateral relations
also contribute to regional cooperation, peace, prosperity and stability,
Recalling and reaffirming the Tehran Declaration
issued on April 10, 2001 jointly by H.E. Shri A.B. Vajpayee, Prime Minister of
India and H.E.Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, President of the Islamic
Republic of Iran, which resulted in further strengthening of dialogue aimed at
strategic cooperation.
Declare as follows:
1.
International developments since
the adoption of the Tehran Declaration have reinforced their faith in and
reconfirmed the values of pluralism, diversity and tolerance within and
between societies.
2.
International peace and
stability, harmony between different religions, ethnic and linguistic groups,
cultures and social systems can best be promoted through dialogue and
acceptance of the right to ones’ own beliefs and values expressed and
exercised without injury or slight to those of others and without a desire to
impose them on others. In this context, they positively assessed the
contribution made by the concept of Dialogue Among Civilizations to address
discord and differences in international relations.
3.
They evaluate positively the
consolidation of Indo-Iranian bilateral relations since the Tehran
Declaration. Meetings of the Joint Commission, the Strategic Dialogue,
interaction between the Security Councils of the two countries, discussions on
energy and security, and cooperation based on existing complementarities and
diverse possibilities, including supplies, exploration, investment, exchange
of technical expertise, and other interaction at government and private sector
levels have all contributed to deepening of mutual understanding and
confidence, which has provided, in turn, the basis for further consolidation.
4.
The two sides welcome the fresh
impetus given to Science and Technology cooperation as also to cooperation in
education and training since last year. They also note the potential of
technologies, such as IT, to improve the lives of people in developing
societies and agree to promote cooperation efforts to exploit this potential.
They agree to promote fuller utilization of available capabilities for human
resource development.
5.
The two sides affirm that their
growing strategic convergence needs to be underpinned with a strong economic
relationship, including greater trade and investment flows. The
Ministerial-level Joint Commission, the Joint Business Council and economic
and commercial agreements signed recently in this regard will play a critical
role in this regard. They exhort the entrepreneurs in both countries to
harness each other’s strengths for mutual benefit and promote the process of
economic rapprochement actively, including through expert studies on trade and
investment facilitation, holding of exhibitions and seminars, promotion of
business travel, and joint ventures.
6.
They note that the enabling
legislations to promote vigorous trade and economic exchanges are primary
requirements to promote business confidence between the entrepreneurs of the
two countries. Many arrangements have already been concluded in this field. To
consolidate the bilateral business environment further, they agree on the need
to undertake expeditious negotiations, inter alia, for the conclusion of the
Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, Double Taxation
Avoidance Agreement and MoU on Energy Cooperation.
7.
India and Iran have a
complementarity of interests in the energy sector which should develop as a
strategic area of their future relationship. Iran with its abundant energy
resources and India with its growing energy needs as a rapidly developing
economy are natural partners. The areas of cooperation in this sector include
investment in upstream and downstream activities in the oil sector,
LNG/natural gas tie-ups and secure modes of transport.
8.
They also decided to explore
opportunities for cooperation in defence in agreed areas, including training
and exchange of visits.
9.
They agreed to explore
mechanisms to preserve and maintain the common cultural heritage, rooted in
history, of the two countries. As part of efforts dedicated to preservation of
this heritage, they agreed to release a commemorative postage stamp.
10.
Terrorism continues to pose
serious a threat to nation States and international peace and security and
should be eradicated. States that aid, abet and directly support international
terrorism should be condemned. The international community should intensify
its efforts to combat the menace of terrorism. They reiterate their resolve to
strengthen the international consensus and legal regimes against terrorism,
including early finalization of a Comprehensive Convention against
International Terrorism. They agree that the combat against international
terrorism should not be selective or based on double standards. Iran and India
agree to continue joint cooperation to address the issues of international
terrorism and trafficking in narcotic and psychotropic substances.
11.
Both sides stressed that the
interests of peace and stability in the region are best served by a strong,
united, prosperous and independent Afghanistan. They assess highly the past
and continuing cooperation between India and Iran in support of a united,
sovereign and independent Afghanistan. They urge the international community
to remain committed on long-term basis to the reconstruction and development
of Afghanistan, to controlling re-emergence of terrorist forces, and spread of
narcotics from Afghanistan. They agree that stability of Afghanistan is vital
for the stability of the region. The recent trilateral agreement between the
Governments of India, Iran and Afghanistan to develop the Chahbahar route
through Melak, Zaranj and Delaram would facilitate regional trade and transit,
including to Afghanistan and Central Asia, contributing thus to enhanced
regional economic prosperity.
12.
The two sides note with
satisfaction the operationalisation of the North South transit arrangement and
the growing interest among other States in the region to participate in it.
They reaffirm their commitment to develop the full potential of the North
South arrangement, its infrastructure, desired certification and customs
harmonization, expert studies and regular evaluation to aid its growth.
13.
India and Iran support efforts
to resolve the situation relating to Iraq peacefully through political and
diplomatic means under the auspices of the United Nations.
14.
The two sides reiterated their
commitment to commence multi-lateral negotiations for nuclear disarmament
under effective international control. They expressed their concern about
restrictions imposed on the export of materials, technology and equipment to
developing countries and acknowledged the right of these countries to
research, production and use of technology, material and equipment for
peaceful purposes.
15.
The two countries are resolved
to exploit the full potential of the bilateral relationship in the interest of
the people of the two countries and of regional peace and stability, and
recognizing that the 21st Century holds unbound promises of welfare and
progress through peaceful application of science and technology, promoting
knowledge based societies, and tackling fundamental problems such as disease,
hunger and environmental degradation.
16.
They directed that a time bound
framework be worked out in agreed areas of cooperation, through the existing
mechanisms of Joint Commission and Joint Working Groups, so that a firm and
substantial economic and political underpinning would be provided for a
strategic and long-term orientation to the bilateral relationship.
Signed on the 25th Day of January 2003 at New Delhi
in two originals, each in Hindi, Persian and English languages.
Prime
Minister
President Islamic Republic of Iran.
Republic of India
<http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/document/papers/iran_delhidecl.htm>
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