Thursday, October 27 2005 15:09 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Moscow: India and Iran have agreed that 'minor' differences on Tehran's nuclear programme should not come in the way of their long-term relationship.

During the 30-minute meeting between External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh and Iranian Vice President Perviz Davoodi here last night on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting, both leaders are understood to have agreed that any 'tactical move' by the two sides ahead of the IAEA vote next month should not have any negative impact on bilateral ties.

It was reiterated that relatively minor differences at any point of time should not be allowed to stand in the way of the long-term vision of close political, economic and cultural relations between India and Iran, sources said.

India's decision to support the IAEA resolution against Iran's nuclear programme last month had led to hiccups in their relations and had raised questions over the status of the proposed 7.4 billion dollar gas pipeline project as also the LNG deal.

Tehran had later clarified that such one-off decisions would not hamper historical and cultural ties between the two friendly countries. New Delhi had maintained that its decision at IAEA meet was in Iran's favour and aimed at gaining more time for diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue within the nuclear watchdog and not allow it to go to the UN Security Council.