Hassan Rouhani has begun his 3-day India visit with a tour of Hyderabad's famous Shahi Tombs
Iran President Hassan Rouhani has entered the second day of his three day visit to India. Mr Rouhani reached Hyderabad yesterday and is set to visit a number of tourist landmarks, including Hyderabad's Qutub Shahi tombs, the Salar Jung Museum, Golconda Fort as well as Mecca Masjid. He is also set to address a Muslim congregation at the Mecca Masjid, after he performs his Friday prayers. This is Mr Rouhani's second visit to Hyderabad and his first after he assumed charge as Iran's president.
Formal bilateral talks will begin on Saturday, when he will visit the national capital.
Here are updates from Iran President Hassan Rouhani's India visit:
Hassan Rouhani's visit to the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad was a rare occasion, as he is a senior Shia cleric and the mosque is a Sunni one.
During his visit, he said that the only solution to the problems faced by the Muslim world was unity among Shias, Sunnis and other Islamic denominations.
Hassan Rouhani has landed in Delhi.
The Iran President also said he is hopeful that India will reciprocate by simplifying visa rules for Iranians.
Hassan Rouhani visited the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad today. Addressing a congregation there, the Iran President said Iran is willing to relax visa norms for Indians and share its "abundant oil and natural gas resources" with India for the progress and prosperity of Indians.
India and Iran have collaborated on key projects, most notably the Chabahar port in southeastern Iran that was inaugurated in December. India has been a key purchaser of Iranian oil and gas, and maintained trade ties even as international sanctions were imposed on Iran over its nuclear programme between 2012 and 2016.
India and Iran will be hoping to iron out several issues particularly the slow progress on the Chabahar Port which Iran feels has got stuck due to US pressure on countries and the latest set of sanctions on Iran, which is why Mr Rouhani's bilateral talks tomorrow with India hold significant importance.
Iran President Hassan Rouhani to offer prayers at historic Mecca Masjid
Iran President Hassan Rouhani will today also visit the historic Mecca Masjid after performing Friday prayers. In the afternoon, Mr Rouhani will address a Muslim congregation at Mecca Masjid.