Ambassador of I.R.Iran, Cultural Counselor and Director Persian Research Centre met Director of NCERT, New Delhi.

On Friday, 30^th June 2023, Dr. Iraj Elahi Ambassador of I.R. Iran to India, Dr. Fariduddin Faridasr, Cultural Counsellor of Iran in New Delhi and Qaherman Soleimani, Director, Persian Research Center, met and Exchanged views with Professor Denish Prasad Saklani, Director, National Council for Educational Research & Training (NCERT) of India and other officials relating to the cooperation between the two countries for the promotion of the Persian language.

Mr. Satya Bhushan in-charge of International Research Division and Mrs. Ranjana Arora in-charge of editing textbooks were also present in the meeting.

In this meeting, Dr. Elahi emphasized that our ties with India has been based on historical and cultural foundations and said: Persian language and literature is one of the most important inter-linked platform between the two countries and this language is the common heritage of the two nations i.e Iran and India.

The Ambassador of I.R.Iran considered the 2020 National Education Policy (NEP) of India as the most important framework of cultural relations between the two countries and said: The Indian government has taken an important step in the direction of expanding the relations between the two countries by recognizing the Persian language as one of the classical languages of India.

 In another part of his speech, Dr. Iraj Elahi emphasized that the Sa’adi Foundation, as the official institution for the promotion of Persian language in non-Persian speaking nations, can be an excellent partner for Indian universities and educational centers where Persian language is being taught.

He further said that Iran is ready to hold one-month and two-month short-term courses for Persian teachers in India. He further added that The Sa’adi Foundation has written special books for teaching Persian language in India, titled  "Tuti”. The book is designed in four volumes and the second volume will be published by September 2023. This book is specially designed for teaching Persian language in India and we are keenly interested to get benefited by the opinions of Indian experts in reviewing and designing these books.

Professor Dinesh Prasad Saklani, Director N.C.E.R.T., in his welcoming speech, called the relations between the two countries old and based on cultural experiences and added: "India's educational system needed a fundamental change and transformation." Based on this, the 2020 Indian National Education Policy was approved so that the Indian education system is more consistent with the continental, cultural and political conditions and characteristics of the country.

He said that the Persian language was the court language of India for more than eight hundred years. This shows the ancient and close relations between the two countries, Iran and India, and even today it is possible to expand the cultural relations between the two countries through the Persian language.

While welcoming the proposals of the Iranian side, the Director of NCERT expressed that these proposals will be implemented as soon as possible and that the parties will witness the further development of the relations between the two countries.

He described the work of this council as coordination between the educational institutions of the Indian government and other countries, which should be implemented by the Ministry of Education Govt. India. He said: We will transfer your suggestions to the Ministry of Education for further persuasion.

A trip to Iran is also possible through the Ministry of Education, which can lead to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and provide a suitable platform for joint cooperation.