India-Iran-SAARC
The Islamic Republic of Iran has formally requested for a grant of observer status in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
A formal letter in this regard has been handed over to the secretary-general of SAARC by the director-general for West Asia Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran this week, the Press Section of the Iranian embassy in New Delhi revealed on Saturday.
The Iranian envoy, Rasool Islami, after a meeting with Lyonpo Chenkyab Dorji, secretary-general of SAARC, in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, noted that Tehran's membership in this organization will be beneficial for both Iran and SAARC because of Iran's geographical position and economic strength.
Noting that Iran has close relations with member countries of SAARC, Islami asked for membership in the regional organization.
The SAARC secretary-general, while expressing his happiness over the close relations of SAARC countries with Iran, said that its inclusion in the association would be beneficial for both sides.
He said that Iran's request will be sent to the chairperson and other members of SAARC.
He said that the request for membership would be taken up for discussion during the meeting of ministers of foreing affairs of SAARC member countries in early April this year in New Delhi.
The European Union and US are among the five "oserver" countries, including China, Japan and South Korea, that will attend the 14th SAARC summit slated to be held on April 3-4, 2007.
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are the seven members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Afghanistan is to be formally inducted as its eighth member during the upcoming SAARC summit in New Delhi.
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