Iran has urged the Indian Government to relax its visa norms and extend the ‘visa-on-arrival’ facility for its citizens who are visiting India, a senior Iranian diplomat said here today.

Hassan Nourian, Consul-General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Hyderabad, said currently over 10,000 Iranian students are pursuing studies in various educational institutions in India and 6,000 in the southern states.

To streamline the relationship between the people of India and Iran, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has eased visa rules for Indian tourists, businessmen and pilgrims, he said.

“Iran has already extended the facility of ‘visa-on-arrival’ to Indians visiting our country at all our international airports. India should also take the initiative and extend similar facility to Iranians,” Nourian told presspersons here.

The diplomat said the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi was already in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs on the visa issue and expects a positive outcome, which will further develop cultural and trade relations.

If India relaxes its visa rules, more number of Iranian students may choose India to pursue their education, otherwise they may consider some other South Asian country such as Malaysia or even European countries, he opined.

The Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Hyderabad will organise a programme on February 10, as part of the 34th anniversary of the Islamic revolution in their country, Nourian said.

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister C. Damodar Rajanarasimha, among other dignitaries, will participate during the celebrations, he added.

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