Indian PM likely to visit Iran this month

NEW DELHI - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Iran later this month in a bid to spruce up bilateral ties with the West Asia nation.

However, the dates for Modi's visit have not yet been finalised, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup has said.

"The Prime Minister had been extended an invitation by President (Hassan) Rouhani when the two had met in Ufa (Russia). He had accepted the invitation in principle. We are currently in the process of working with our Iranian counterparts to work out the suitable dates," he told the media Thursday.

He added: "We share a very close, historical and civilisational friendship with Iran, a relationship which is in existance for a long period of time."

Iran has reportedly said that it can be a "reliable partner" for India's energy needs and New Delhi has lined up 20 billion U.S. dollars investment in oil and gas, petrochemical and fertiliser projects in that country.