Saturday, September 3 2005 20:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Tehran: India today (Sept 3, 2005) raised with Iran the issue relating to renewal of stay permit and ownership of property rights for Indians living in Tehran as External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh held talks with his counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki.

Mottaki assured to look into the issue, Singh said after the hour-long meeting.

Iran has about 250 families of Sikhs and 200 of other Indians who have been complaining of difficulties relating to renewal of their stay permit each year as also the problems relating to ownership of property.

Singh, during an interaction with the Indian community members here yesterday (Sept 2, 2005) , had assured to take up the matter with the Iranian authorities.

The Indians here have also been demanding grant of dual citizenship.

Iranian laws do not permit dual citizenship and Sikh community here has appealed to the Indian Government to request Tehran to make exception for them since they have been contributing to this country's development.

Singh yesterday (Sept 2, 2005) told the community that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government, particularly Prime Minister Manmohan Singh remained committed to redressing issues of interest to them.