Mumbai: Iran will minimise the delay in granting visas to Indians to foster greater relations between the two countries, Vice-President of Iran Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei said today.

Pointing out that Indian and Iranian civilizations had ties dating back to centuries, Mashaei said, adding that the visas would be granted to Indian citizens with minimal delays.

"We are prepared to make use of any opportunity to strengthen our ties with India," he said.

The Vice-President, who is on a four-day-long visit to the country in connection with the Iranian Cultural Week being held in New Delhi and Mumbai, met Maharashtra Governor S C Jamir today, an official statement from the Governor's office said.

Mashaei, who is also the head of the Cultural Heritage, handicraft and tourism organisation in Iran, said that the nation was keen on strengthening its ties with India in the areas of tourism, culture, business and commerce.

Iran is also expecting to have an Indian Culture Week in Teheran on the lines of Iranian Cultural Week presently underway in India and was interested in setting up a Centre of India Studies there, Mashaei said.

Source : PTI