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Iran foreign minister to visit India to discuss N-programme

July 11, 2006 17:16 IST

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki will undertake a three-day visit to New Delhi next week during which issues related to Iran's controversial nuclear programme and the proposed tri-nation gas pipeline are expected to dominate.

Mottaki will arrive in New Delhi on July 18, five months after India voted against Iran's atomic programme at the International Atomic Energy Agency.

He will also travel to Gujarat and Mumbai.

He is expected to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh besides holding talks with the minister of state for external affairs.

Iran's controversial nuclear programme and its stand-off with the IAEA and the international community are expected to figure in the discussions.

India has maintained that Iran has the right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy, but at the same time it must fulfill its obligations as a signatory of the NPT.

The timing of the visit assumes significance as it will take place a day after the G-8 Summit where the big powers are likely to take a view on the issue.

The prime minister will also participate in the summit in St Petersburg.

Apprehending a decision by the G-8 on its atomic issue, Iran has already warned that no such thing should be done as it would be "premature".

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