Addressing a gathering of elites, religious scholars and leaders of the Islamic community in Hyderabad, he hailed the two countries’ numerous historic and cultural commonalities, saying that Iran-India relationship is beyond the political and economic relations.
Noting that religions have come to promote goodness and eliminate evil, Rouhani said that duties of the religious scholars and Muslims are heavy in promulgating message of Islam.
“Message of the Iranian nation is friendship and closer relations with the great nation of India,” he said, noting that Iran favors cordial ties with the country in all fields.
Referring to the enemies’ efforts to misuse religions to sow discord among Muslims, the Iranian Chief Executive said, “All of us are responsible for establishing goodness on the earth and annihilate evil as per the guidelines of Holy Qur’an and Prophet of Islam (PBUH).”
All Muslims are brothers and Islam is for happiness of all mankind, he said.
Commenting on the Islamic Republic’s policies, Rouhani said that Iran has always followed the policy of ‘looking at east’ and its nation has since the establishment of the Islamic Revolution chanted the slogans of unity and independence.
On his trip to Hyderabad, he said that the visit reveals deep historic and cultural bond between the two nations which have been living side by side peacefully.
Elaborating on the history of colonization, the Iranian president said that when the Muslims boasted of science and knowledge, they shared them with westerners just for love, but when the latter achieved scientific and technological progress, they withheld them from others.
Unity and concerted efforts are the only way to help the Islamic world make progress, he said, noting that sowing discord is the West’s trick to divide the Muslim nations.
Describing India as a clear example of peaceful life of humans with different religions, Rouhani said that today, westerners have created gaps among the Muslims and established groups in the names of ‘Islam’ and ‘Jihad’ which have nothing to do with Islam such as Takfiri groups.
Iran does not want to distance itself from any Islamic country or any nation in the region, he said.
“If there is a problem in the Islamic world, its solution is not rifle or military; rather logic, rationalism and dialogue can resolve the problems,” he said.
Rouhani is accompanied by Iranian ministers of foreign affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif, road and urban development Mohammad Akhundi and industry Mohammad Shariatmadari.
A large delegation from Iranian private sector businessmen and trade people are also in India as part of the President's delegation.
Upon his arrival in the southern Indian city, Rouhani was welcomed by the Governor of Telangana state, Iranian Ambassador to India Gholamreza Ansari and Iran's Consul General in Hyderabad Mohammad Haqbin.
Rouhani is to sign about 15 documents in trade and economic sectors with Indian officials. The two sides will also issue a statement on political issues as well. Iran and India will also sign documents on consular services sector including easier visa issuance regulations.
