Amid the ongoing tensions in West Asia, Iranian Ambassador to India Iraj Elahi stated on Friday that the conflict between Iran and Israel is longstanding. He reassured Indians and other tourists that Iran remains a safe destination and encouraged them to explore the historic land of Persia. Speaking at the Iran Tourism Roadshow in Delhi, Elahi expressed optimism about increasing direct flights between the two nations.

Iran-India Relations

Elahi highlighted the strong bilateral ties between India and Iran, describing them as fantastic. He recalled India's day-long mourning for former Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash. "The respect shown by India is deeply appreciated in Iran," he said. The ambassador also noted that Iran's supreme leader holds India in high regard, and he himself feels respected by Prime Minister Modi and the Indian government.

The ambassador emphasised that both countries share a strategic mindset but face some operational challenges. "We are working with various Indian structures to resolve these issues," he said. He stressed that there is mutual willingness to overcome these difficulties, which is crucial for both nations.

Tourism and Travel

Currently, there are two direct flights between Tehran and Delhi and one between Tehran and Mumbai. Elahi hopes to see more flights established by Indian carriers from different cities in India to Iran. "We need more flights to connect various cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore, and even Kashmir," he said. The goal is to have at least one flight per day, seven days a week.

The envoy assured that tourists face no security issues in Iran despite the regional tensions. "The tension between Iran and Israel is not new," he said. "I assure Indian tourists that Iran is safe, beautiful, and attractive." He urged tourists to visit and see for themselves how secure the country is.

Visa Policies

Elahi mentioned recent changes in visa policies to facilitate travel between the two countries. "Indian passport holders can now enter Iran for two weeks without a visa," he said. Additionally, passports will not be stamped upon entry or exit, eliminating concerns about future travel to other countries.

The roadshow aimed to revive tourism cooperation affected by COVID-19. "We organised this event to reactivate tourism ties," Elahi said. The gathering included travel agencies, airlines, and officials from both countries discussing ways to promote tourism.

Future Prospects

Elahi stressed the importance of mutual understanding between the two nations. "India needs to know more about modern Iran, and Iranians need to learn about India's development," he said. He believes this knowledge exchange will enhance cooperation capabilities.

The ambassador also pointed out that while many Iranians travel abroad, only a small number visit India. "Last year, over 13 million Iranians travelled abroad, but only about 58,000 visited India," he noted. He hopes to increase this number through enhanced tourism cooperation.