Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari attended the inauguration ceremony of Iran's new President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran on Tuesday. Gadkari conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's good wishes to President Pezeshkian on assuming office, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).


During his visit, Minister Gadkari engaged in discussions with Iranian officials, where both sides positively assessed the state of bilateral relations. The focus was on the cooperation for the development of Chabahar Port. The MEA stated that both nations underscored the port's significance in bolstering bilateral and regional trade, providing crucial access to landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asian countries to regional and global markets.


"On the occasion, Minister Nitin Gadkari conveyed good wishes from Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to President Pezeshkian on assuming office," read an official MEA statement.


"During Minister Nitin Gadkari's interactions in Iran, both sides positively assessed the state of bilateral relations, including cooperation on the development of Chabahar Port. Both sides underscored that Chabahar Port would contribute to strengthening bilateral and regional trade. It would provide access to landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asian countries to regional and global markets," it added.


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Iranian President Pezeshkian's Oath Ceremony


Pezeshkian emerged victorious in a runoff election against ultraconservative Saeed Jalili on 5 July, following the death of former Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May. The swearing-in ceremony came two days after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei officially endorsed Pezeshkian, granting the 69-year-old heart surgeon presidential powers.


"I, as the president, in front of the Holy Koran and the people of Iran, swear to almighty God to be the guardian of the official religion and the Islamic Republic system and the constitution of the country," Pezeshkian declared during the ceremony, which was broadcast live on state TV, as quoted by news agency AFP.


Pezeshkian, who is expected to announce his government within two weeks, secured over 16 million votes, amounting to about 54 per cent of the roughly 30 million ballots cast. The Iran presidential election took place amidst heightened regional tensions following the Gaza conflict, disputes with Western powers over Iran's nuclear programme, and domestic discontent over the sanctions-hit economy.


The inauguration was attended by senior officials from several countries, including Armenia, Tajikistan, Egypt, Sudan, Iraq, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Cuba, and Brazil. European Union envoy Enrique Mora was also present, AFP reported. Additionally, regional Iran-backed allies, such as Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Islamic Jihad head Ziyad al-Nakhalah, were in attendance. Lebanon's Hezbollah was represented by deputy secretary-general Naim Qassem, while Yemen's Huthi rebels sent spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam, as per AFP's report.


Iranian President Pezeshkian Expresses Support For Palestinian Cause


Pezeshkian has reaffirmed Iran's steadfast support for the Palestinian cause, a cornerstone of its foreign policy since the 1979 Islamic revolution. "Supporting the cause of the oppressed Palestinian nation will continue with strength, and no factor can disrupt our will in this direction," Pezeshkian stated on Monday.


During his campaign, the former health minister pledged to revive the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, which collapsed in 2018 after the United States' unilateral withdrawal. The deal had provided Iran with sanctions relief in exchange for limitations on its nuclear activities. Recently, Pezeshkian has called for "constructive relations" with European countries, despite accusing them of failing to mitigate the impact of renewed US sanctions.