HYDERABAD -  Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Friday announced that Iran is ready to share its oil and natural gas with India and called for easing of visa norms between the two countries to further strengthen the cultural and diplomatic ties.

Rouhani, who is on a two-day state visit to Indian city of Hyderabad, told a gathering of Muslims at the historic Makkah Masjid here after the Friday congregational prayers that the opening of Chabahar port to India will provide the gateway to Afghanistan, Central Asia and Europe. “Iran is rich in oil and natural gas resources. It is ready to share the natural resources with India for its development and progress,” he said.

The Iranian president called upon Muslims around the world to shed their differences and remain united against the “common enemy of Islam”.

Makkah Masjid, built by the Qutub Shahi rulers about four centuries ago, is held in high esteem by Muslims of Hyderabad and other parts of the Deccan plateau, and the visiting Iranian president has chosen the historic mosque to spread the message of peace, unity and brotherhood among Muslims. Incidentally, this is the first time perhaps in the history of Hyderabad that the head of a foreign country had addressed Muslims from Makkah Masjid at the Friday congregation. In fact, Rouhani too reminded the gathering that Makkah Masjid has been witness to the friendly ties between people of Iran and Hyderabad and South India for more than 400 years.

Rouhani, who is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday (today), also offered to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries on various frontiers including industry, agriculture, and new technologies. This cooperation, he said, would mutually help India and Iran to achieve their common goals. “Iran is desirous to continue bolstering its bilateral relationship with India,” Rouhani said.

During his 15-minute address heard in rapt attention by a gathering of over 5,000 people, Rouhani touched issues like Palestine, Al-Aqsa mosque, terrorism, and the policy of the USA towards Muslim nations. He said had the Muslim nations been united, the USA would not have dared to declare Jerusalem as capital of Israel. He called upon Muslims to support the cause of Palestine.