Iran accords ceremonial welcome for Indian PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two day visit to Iran, was on Monday given ceremonial welcome by President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran."Stepping forward with Iran.

Official engagements begin with a ceremonial welcome by Rouhani," external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in a tweet.

"Building an enduring partnership. Modi and Rouhani exchange ideas at a restricted tete-a-tete," he said.

Modi is expected to sign the trilateral agreement between India, Iran and Afghanistan to develop the Chabahar port in the Islamic Republic.

Connectivity, energy security and bilateral trade are on top of Modi's agenda during his visit which comes a little over a month-and-a-half after his trip to Saudi Arabia.

Building an enduring partnership. PM @narendramodi and President Rouhani exchange ideas at a restricted tete-a-tete pic.twitter.com/yX6uCwb2mK

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) May 23, 2016

The prime minister will also inaugurate an Indian cultural festival in Iran.

Modi will here hold talks with the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei.

The prime minister's visit comes four months after the sanctions on Iran were lifted and the international community is re-engaging with the nation.