Hyderabad:Iranian President Hassan Rouhani described India as a “living museum of ethnicities” where various religions peacefully co-exist. Rouhani made the statement in Hyderabad on first day of his three-day visit to India. This is Rouhani’s first visit to India since he came to power in 2013.
At a meeting with Muslim intellectuals on Thursday night, Rouhani spoke about Islam, non-violence, unity, and criticised the West for creating rifts among countries, PTI reported. Rouhani maintained that the “enemies of Islam” want to represent Islam as a religion of violence. “Islam is not a religion of violence. Islam is a religion of moderation, Islam is a religion of kindness.”
He further said that, Iran does not believe in a military solution for diplomatic problems, but “when a war is imposed, people have no other option but to defend themselves”, Rouhani said, while criticising the “western world for oppressing and exploiting” the East and its resources.
Rouhani said his country wanted to clear “hurdles” for people in Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and Yemen, and said the solution to it is “unity and brotherhood in joint effort”.
Rouhani on Friday visited the Hyderabad’s Mecca Masjid. He is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ramnath Kovind in Delhi on Saturday. Rouhani is also expected to push for Indian investment in Iran’s infrastructure and oil projects, The Hindu reported.
Rouhani’s visit is said to be significant as India and Iran are working together to develop the strategically located Chabahar port. India is helping to develop Chabahar, in Iran, to open a direct trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.
Meanwhile during his visit Iranian President went Macca Masjid and addressed Namazi.
