BBC NEWS | South Asia | India and Iran in security talks

India and Iran have held their first ever high-level security talks, focusing on concerns over Afghanistan and recent tensions between India and Pakistan.

The non-interference of other countries in [Afghanistan's] affairs is vital for India

India's National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra

Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Hassan Rowhani held talks in Delhi with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee as well as Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh and Defence Minister George Fernandes.

They discussed expanding ties in the security and defence fields as well as developing their political and economic links, according to the Iranian agency IRNA.

Prime Minister Vajpayee visited Tehran last year, and said the two countries should start a security dialogue.

They both backed opponents of the former Taleban rulers in Afghanistan, as they shared concerns about Pakistan's close involvement with the Taleban.

'Non-interference' in Afghanistan

India's top security official, Brajesh Mishra, who also held talks with Mr Rowhani, stressed that Delhi believed the "non-interference" of other countries in Afghan affairs was vital, according to IRNA.

Hassan Rowhani: Keen to develop ties

Hassan Rowhani emphasised the need for Iran and India to co-operate on the issue, adding that Tehran still had concerns over the issue of Afghan refugees, terrorism and drug trafficking

India also made clear to Iran that it did "not have any interest in a war" with Pakistan or with occupying parts of Pakistani territory - it was simply concerned about infiltration by militant groups into its territory.

Iran is believed to be concerned about increasing US involvement in the region - in the war in Afghanistan and more recently in defusing tension over Kashmir.

The two sides also discussed plans for direct air links and co-operation in oil and gas projects.

Mr Rowhani is to visit the Taj Mahal and Agra and then travel on to Bombay for talks with Indian industrialists.