Transcript of PM’s on-board Press Interaction enroute to Delhi from Tehran

Opening Statement of Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh: Ladies and gentlemen, as you know, I came to Tehran to attend the NAM Summit. My speech at the Plenary Session of the Summit has already been circulated and you must have gone through it. In addition I had a meeting with the Supreme Leader, and also with President Ahmadinejad to review the state of our bilateral relations. I was particularly struck by what the Supreme Leader told me about his interest and involvement in Indian affairs. He recalled the influence that Mahatma Gandhi had on him, the role that Jawaharlal Nehru played in India’s freedom struggle, his visit to India in 1980-81, meetings with Mrs. Gandhi, visiting various other parts of our country including Hyderabad.

World powers begin talks with Iran over Teheran’s nuclear program

Six major world powers- USA, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany began the crucial third round of talks with Iran in Moscow over Teheran’s controversial nuclear program. Iran's 20 percent uranium enrichment is the priority issue in the Moscow round of talks. Ahead of the talks, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad said that Teheran is ready to suspend its enrichment of uranium to 20 percent if Europe guarantees delivery of nuclear fuel for its reactors. The statement was posted on his official website.

Iran dismisses missile cooperation with N Korea

Iran on Wednesday dismissed media reports that Teheran has imported technology from North Korea to develop its ballistic missile programme.Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said Iran is completely self-sufficient in the field of defense industry and does not need other countries.According to the media reports, a confidential UN report disclosed regular exchange of ballistic missile technology by North Korea and Iran in violation of UN sanctions. 

Courtesy : AIR

Iran agrees to resume talks on controversial nuclear programme

Iran said it has formally agreed to resume talks on its controversial nuclear programme with six major powers which have been stalled since January. According to Iranian Press TV, Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili has replied to a letter by the European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton in this regard. Jalili said in his letter that respecting the nation's rights and refraining from pressure are the two main pillars of cooperation.Iran and the P5+1 nations had held two rounds of multifaceted talks in Geneva in December 2010 and in the Turkish city of Istanbul last January. 

Courtesy : AIR