Welcoming Mohammadi

"Shortly, foreign banks will be able to open branches in Iran… Last month a high ranking delegation had come. Everyone in Iran believes it should go ahead and connect the two countries (with the gas pipeline),” noted consul general of Iran Ali Mohammadi, already six weeks in the saddle.

With a masters degree in political science from the University of Tehran, the diplomat has authored books on the economic relations between Iran and Southeast Asia, Iran’s Foreign Policy 1949-79, Asia’s Free Trade Zone and the Role of Women in the Constitutional Movement of Iran. His assignments have carried him to Bangkok and the United Nations and for a time he has held the office of director of external affairs in Iran’s Parliament, noted S. M. Dewan, president of the India-Iran Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IICCI). He said the IICCI was adding clauses to its constitution to enable it to arbitrate on disputes outside the courts.

Acknowledging the help of former consul general Moha­m­med Shok­rani with simplification of visa formalities, Dewan suggested that the process be taken further and also spelt out other impediments to trade between the two countries. Dewan asked for better banking facilities to ease financial constraints in the trade, notably reciprocal banking arrangements to ease letters of credit, as well as more India-Iran vessels and containerization to speed up cargo. "Iran’s exports to India have multiplied manifold. But India’s exports are almost static. Why?” asked Dewan noting that India’s sports goods, marine products, oil related products, etc are comparable in quality and lower in price as compared to similar goods elsewhere. India’s skills in information technology, education and the hospitality industry could be shared with Iran, he noted.

Iran’s new consul Ali Mohammadi (top), and receiving a salver from Minoo Shroff

"Unfortunately, the international diplomatic environment is not propitious for Iran… And despite India and Iran’s long history of togetherness, the trade ties are way below potential. (Mutual) trade and investment need a fillip.” Economist Minoo Shroff was speaking in his capacity as president of the Indo-Iran Friendship Society which, along with the IICCI, had organized a felicitation for the incoming consul general at the Garware Club House of Bombay’s Wankhede Stadium on July 27, 2007.

Hoping for a fruitful and long association between the countries, guest of honor Homi Khusrokhan, managing director of Tata Chemicals Limited, referred to increasing energy costs all over the world: "We are watching the gas scenario, looking for opportunities, also in the mining industries.”

Mohammadi responded to the points raised by the various speakers, noting that shipping and air freight between the two countries was set to become more active. "Banking regulations are in the final stage of revision and visas for tourists as well as businesspersons can be got in hours,” he stated. With more than 7,000 Iranian students pursuing various courses in Poona and elsewhere in India, "our cultural relations are continuing.” Other countries are already exploring Iran’s mineral wealth. "Why are Indians not in a hurry to come?” he asked. He compared Shanghai to Bombay, noting that as far as business is concerned, they are on par. Acknowledging the welcome he had been receiving from traders and businessmen for the past 40 days and promising cooperation over the next three to four years of his term, Mohammadi had a special mention for Parsis, noting, "You can’t forget history.”

Master of ceremony Godrej Dotivala, public relations officer of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet, welcomed and introduced the speakers among whom were also Ganesh Kumar Gupta, president of the Federation of Indian Export Orga­nisations and Bharat Shah, senior vice president of IICCI.

The Garware Club House proved too constrictive for the size of the turnout at the public meeting. Registering the Tatas’ interest in Iran’s mineral deposits, Tata Sons director Dr Jamshed Irani, the evening’s chief guest, referred to the progress in industrialization in both countries and noted, "The packed room is adding to the warmth and goodwill between our two countries.”

Arnavaz S. Mama