Navy Chief Sunil Lanba with Iran’s Deputy Defence Minister General Qassem Taqizade

TEHRAN – India’s Navy Commander Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba expressed his country’s eagerness to broaden military cooperation with Iran.

In a meeting with Iran’s Deputy Defence Minister General Qassem Taqizade in Tehran, the Indian Navy commander voiced readiness for programs to boost naval cooperation with Iran, such as the exchange of military delegations.

Hailing the growth in military relations between Iran and India and the reciprocal visits by naval flotillas of the two countries in recent years, Admiral Lanba said development of the strategic port of Chabahar in southeastern Iran provides a great opportunity for mutual cooperation.

The Iranian official, for his part, highlighted the necessity for close coordination between Iran and India in the military, political and security sphere.

He also called for collective efforts and defense cooperation among the regional countries in the fight against terrorism, piracy and narcotics trafficking.

Ove the past few days, Iranian military commanders have held meetings with foreign military officials attending the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) 2018 in Tehran for talks on naval cooperation and international issues.

The IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime cooperation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region by providing an open and inclusive forum for discussion of regionally relevant maritime issues.