Sunday, October 16 2005 19:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh has discussed bilateral relations, regional issues and international political and security matters with the Iranian ambassador.

The meeting, which lasted for about an hour yesterday (Oct 15, 2005), took place on Iranian Ambassador S Zargar Yaghoubi's request, an official spokesperson said today (Oct 16, 2005).

Iran had recently expressed disappointment over India's vote against it on the nuclear issue at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The Government has, however, asserted that India's move was aimed at gaining more time for diplomacy to work to help resolve the issue amicably.

Hectic back-channel diplomatic efforts are believed to be on ahead of the next meeting of the IAEA over the Iran nuclear issue next month to avoid a confrontation between Tehran and the West.