Iran’s outgoing Ambassador, Iraj Elahi, has described India and Iran as “natural partners” in a heartfelt farewell message shared on X, as he concluded his diplomatic tenure in New Delhi.
“As my diplomatic mission in India comes to an end, I leave this beautiful land with cherished and unforgettable memories. During my stay, I always felt at home among the warm and gracious people of India,” Elahi wrote.
The envoy lauded India’s development efforts, saying he had “witnessed firsthand the tireless efforts of the great Indian nation and its government to achieve its rightful global standing — a goal I am confident India will soon attain.”
Reflecting on his travels across the country, Elahi said he had the privilege of exploring several regions and cities known for their cultural and historical richness.
“I deeply felt the enduring bonds of friendship between the great peoples of Iran and India, who have stood by each other through the tides of history,” he said.
Emphasising shared civilisational ties and strategic cooperation, Elahi remarked, “I firmly believe that the natural potentials, cultural affinities, and shared strategic independence of Iran and India make them natural partners. I am pleased that during my tenure, cooperation between our two nations in the strategic port of Chabahar became operational — a gateway that will soon be connected to Iran’s railway network, serving regional growth and the global economy.”
The envoy also highlighted initiatives to strengthen people-to-people exchanges and encouraged Indians to visit Iran. “I warmly invite all Indian friends to visit Iran, discover its beauty firsthand, and experience the deep historical and cultural ties between our two ancient civilizations,” he added.
According to the Indian Embassy in Tehran, India and Iran share millennia-old civilisational links. Their contemporary relationship draws strength from these historical ties and continues to expand through high-level exchanges, commercial cooperation, connectivity projects, and cultural engagement.
India and Iran signed a Friendship Treaty on March 15, 1950. The visit of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Tehran in April 2001, which led to the signing of the Tehran Declaration, and the subsequent visit of Iranian President Seyyed Mohammad Khatami to New Delhi in 2003 for the New Delhi Declaration, further deepened bilateral cooperation.
