The Iranian delegation was led by H.E. Mr. Gholam Hossein Bolandian, Deputy Minister for Security and Law & Order, Islamic Republic of Iran.

    The Indian side was led by Shri Kamal Pande, Union Home Secretary; he was assisted by senior officials from the Ministries of Home Affairs and External Affairs.

    During discussions, the two delegations reaffirmed the traditional ties and harmonious relationship between the two countries. It was evident that there was similarity in the approach of the two sides on regional and international issues.

    Both sides resolved to enter into close cooperation in eradicating the scourge of global terrorism. In order to establish structural instruments of cooperation, it was agreed to consider conclusion of an Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and an Extradition Treaty. It was also agreed to have an institutional mechanism for tackling terrorism by either constituting a new Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism or by expanding the scope of the existing Joint Working Group on Drug Trafficking and including within its purview the areas of ‘counter terrorism’ and ‘intelligence sharing’. For early finalization of these proposed instruments of cooperation as also to strengthen the process of mutual consultations and periodic review of security matters, it was also decided to hold Secretary-level talks annually, alternately at New Delhi and Teheran.

    There was an exchange of views on the law enforcement mechanism in the two countries and cooperation in this area as well as police training was also considered.

    Both sides recognized the need to firmly deal with the problem of drug trafficking and also agreed to have close cooperation in combating the menace of both drug trafficking and narco-terrorism.

    Both sides resolved to take forward the "Teheran Declaration" signed between Prime Minister Vajpayee and President Khatami, when the former visited Iran in April, 2001, which embodies a vision of cooperation based on shared concerns and common aspirations of the people of India and Iran, all for the benefit of the region and the world at large.

    The discussions were held in a most friendly and cordial atmosphere.