News of India's exclusion from the Chabahar railway project is just a rumor: Iran

New delhi date. 21 July 2020, Tuesday

Iran has denied reports that it has excluded India from the Chabahar railway project. Iran says some powers are spreading such rumors to widen the gap between the two countries. But those powers will not succeed in their own such intentions.

Iran's Ministry of Roads and Railways on Monday extended an invitation to Indian Ambassador Gaddam Dharmendra for talks. Deputy Minister Saeed Rasooli sat down with the Indian Ambassador and discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the Chabahar Port and Chabahar-Jahedan railway projects. According to Saeed Rasooli, there is no truth in the news of excluding India from the Chabahar-Jahedan railway project. Some external powers are trying to widen the gap between the two countries by spreading such false reports in which they will not succeed.

Last week, a report surfaced claiming that the Hassan Rouhani-led Iranian government had excluded India from building the Chabahar-Jahedan railway project. Several departments in India had expressed concern over the issue after the report came to light. However, no official statement was issued by India or Iran on the issue. Now Iran has begun talks to dispel internal confusion over the issue.

India has entered into an agreement with Iran to build a railway line connecting the Chabahar port to the city of Jahedan. Through this rail project, India can expand its reach to Afghanistan and Central Asian countries.