India and Iran to start diplomatic calendar for 75th anniversary of bilateral ties

India and Iran are planning a series of events throughout the year to mark 75th anniversary of establishment of bilateral relation, diplomatic sources said in New Delhi. The celebration of bilateral ties will begin with the visit of Foreign Minister Syed Abbas Araghchi that is expected later this month.

Mr. Araghchi’s visit will provide India and Iran opportunity to discuss a broad spectrum of issues starting with stability in the Gulf region to connectivity plans and India’s security requirements in Afghanistan.

Ahead of Mr. Araghchi’s visit, bilateral consultation intensified with India’s Ambassador Rudra Gaurav Shresth on Wednesday (January 7, 2026) meeting Iranian foreign ministry’s spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei.

“As we mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Iran-India diplomatic relations, we look forward to further strengthening bilateral ties based on mutual interests and our shared heritage,” said Mr. Baghaei in a social media post on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).

India and Iran signed a Treaty of Friendship on March 15, 1950 following which air connectivity and exchange of military delegations was started the same year when Iran was under the rule of the Shah. The treaty came into effect on December 1, 1951 opening commercial ties between the two sides. According to the records of the Ministry of External Affairs, along with Cairo and Ankara, Tehran was among the first capitals in West Asia where India opened its diplomatic missions after independence in 1947. During Mr. Araghchi’s visit, plans for the rest of the diplomatic calendar will be made, sources have said.

Mr. Araghchi had last visited India for the 20th India-Iran Joint Commission Meeting that also coincided with India’s Operation Sindoor against Pakistan-based terror elements. Thereafter India has carried out a recalibration of its policy towards the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan that has highlighted India’s ability to supply vital humanitarian, agricultural and developmental assistance to Afghanistan through the port of Chabahar in South-eastern Iran.

India has hosted multiple representatives from the Taliban administration in Kabul including Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Minister of Industry and Commerce Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi. The Taliban administration that is clashing with Pakistan military along the Durand Line has been in talks with India to enlarge operations in Chabahar port to help Afghanistan move away from its dependence on the Karachi port.

Mr. Araghchi’s visit is likely to include follow up discussion on the North-South Transport Corridor that featured prominently when Russian President Vladimir Putin visited India for the 23rd India-Russia annual summit in December 2025.

India’s plans regarding Iran however came under a shadow because of the latest anti-regime protests in Iran that prompted India to issue an advisory for its citizens in Iran on January 5 2025. Earlier advisories were issued for Indian nationals in Iran when Iran clashed with Israel. Indian official sources here informed that the advisory was issued to ensure preparedness for the Indian community in Iran in case of any sudden emergency in the internal situation.