India, Iran to step up cooperation on Afghanistan

NEW DELHI – India and Iran said Saturday that they would step up cooperation in combating extremism, terrorism and drug trafficking in Afghanistan in an effort to restore peace and stability to the war-wracked country.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the two countries would also make efforts to improve energy security and regional connectivity to reach landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asia by developing Iran's Chabahar Port and road and rail routes.

"We both will work for restoring peace, stability, prosperity and a pluralistic system in Afghanistan," Modi said after holding talks with Rouhani in New Delhi on the final day of Rouhani's three-day visit.

Rouhani said Iran and India "are prepared for joint ventures in gas and petroleum sectors." He sought India's investment in these areas, as well as in the industrial and mining sectors.