Rouhani begins India visit with Hyderabad

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrived in Hyderabad on a 3-day visit to India amid warm welcome on Thursday.

Rouhani, who will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others in New Delhi on Saturday, will spend two days in Hyderabad, a city with centuries old cultural and historical relations with Iran.

As his special aircraft landed at the Begumpet Airport in the city, the Union Minister of State for Energy RK Singh and Telangana Governor ESL Narasimhan along with the senior officials accorded a red carpet welcome Rouhani and his 21 member delegation.

This is Rouhani’s second visit to Hyderabad but first after he became President of Iran in 2013.

Soon after his arrival he addressed a meeting of the members of Iranian community settled in the city and later addressed a meeting of prominent members of Muslim community. The meeting at 5 star hotel was attended by the religious scholars of different sects of Muslims, political and social leaders.

Addressing the gathering he recalled the centuries old relations between Hyderabad and Iran. He also pointed out that the Qutub Shahi dynasty which ruled Golkonda sultanate and founded Hyderabad city were of Iranian descent.

He also expressed his desire for widening and deepening the economic cooperation and the trade between India and Iran.

Tomorrow he will visit the famous 7 Tombs or the graves of Qutub Shahi king and pay tributes to them and also pay a visit to the Golonda Fort, which was the seat of power of Qutub Shahis till Mohammed Qutub Shah founded Hyderabad city in 1591.

Later he will visit another historic milestone of the city Mecca Masjid and offer Friday congregation. He will also get the unique honor of addressing the congregation at the mosque after the Friday prayers.

He leave for New Delhi on Friday evening and meet the Prime Minister Modi and President Ramnath Kovind on Saturday.

In the meeting with the PM Modi he will review the progress achieved in bilateral relations and discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest, a statement issued by the Indian external affairs Ministry said.