Zarif: Iran always consults with its Indian partners

IRNA � Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday that Tehran and New Delhi have extended relations in various fields and that Iran always consults with Indian partners.

Speaking to reporters upon his arrival in New Delhi, Zarif said that he had a good visit to Turkmenistan and held fruitful talks with Turkmen leaders on bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Elaborating on the main objectives of his Indian tour, he said that New Delhi is Iranian close partner and both sides have developed ties in various fields.

He added that the two countries have designed special financial system to augment trade and economic cooperation.

He reiterated the fact that India is one of the biggest customers of Iran crude oil.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Zarif pointed to good relations with India in cultural, political and regional fields, adding that Tehran and New Delhi enjoy satisfactory ties in Afghanistan.

The Iranian foreign minister is slated to hold meeting with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday.

Earlier on Sunday, Zarif, heading a high-ranking economic delegation, arrived in Ashgabat for a series of talks with senior Turkmen officials.

During his stay in Turkmenistan, the Iranian foreign minister met with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow.

Zarif and Turkmen officials discussed various bilateral, regional and international developments.

Iran and Turkmenistan share over 1,000 km border, including the Caspian Sea coastline.

The two sides have enjoyed good relations since Turkmenistan gained independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991.