Nitin Gadkari represents India at swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s new President

New Delhi, July 30: Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, attended the swearing-in ceremony of Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, the newly elected President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The event took place in Tehran today.

Minister Gadkari conveyed the best wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to President Pezeshkian as he assumed office. During his visit, Gadkari engaged in discussions that positively assessed the state of bilateral relations between India and Iran, with a particular focus on the development of the Chabahar Port. Both sides emphasised that the port would strengthen bilateral and regional trade, providing access to landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asian countries to regional and global markets.

In his inaugural address, President Pezeshkian called on the international community to collaborate with Iran in addressing regional and global challenges. He welcomed dignitaries and representatives from over 80 countries who had travelled to Tehran for his inauguration.

“The world needs to seize this unparalleled opportunity to address regional and global issues through the collaboration of a powerful, peace-seeking, and dignified Iran,” President Pezeshkian stated.

He affirmed his commitment to safeguarding Iran’s dignity and interests on the international stage, with the support of the Iranian people and the Supreme Leader. He also expressed a desire to forge consensus among all political factions within the country.

Iran media reported that President Pezeshkian outlined three key principles central to his foreign policy: dignity, wisdom, and expediency. He pledged that constructive engagement with the world would be the cornerstone of his government’s foreign affairs approach.

Emphasising a vision for a region free from extremist influence, Pezeshkian asserted that regional countries should not allow radical voices to misrepresent nearly two billion free-thinking Muslims. “Islam is a religion of peace,” he affirmed.