New Delhi/IBNS: Iran's foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi embarked on his maiden visit to New Delhi tonight and will meet his counterpart, S Jaishankar, on Thursday.

Together, they shall co-chair the 20th Joint Commission meeting between India and Iran.

The meeting comes at a time when New Delhi and Tehran are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the signing of the India-Iran Friendship Treaty.

At the meeting, both sides are expected to discuss the bilateral ties in detail and explore new possibilities to strengthen existing relations.

While the Joint Commission is supposed to meet every year, there has been a gap in its meetings because of the COVID-19 pandemic and domestic preoccupations of the two countries.

"The latest status of the implementation of bilateral economic agreements between the two countries will be reviewed and followed up in the course of the commission's work," Iran's Embassy in New Delhi posted on X.

After the bilateral meeting, the Iranian foreign minister will call on President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Araghchi's visit comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following New Delhi's targeted military strike on nine terror camps across the border and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack

Iran earlier condemned the religiously motivated terror attack in Kashmir by Pakistan-linked terrorists.

In a statement issued by the foreign minister himself, Tehran had said, "Iran strongly and unequivocally condemns the terrorist attack against tourists in Pahalgam. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the people & government of India."

Iran has also expressed concern over the rising military tensions between India and Pakistan, urging both sides to exercise restraint.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran has had long-standing ties with both New Delhi and Islamabad and views the current situation with serious concern.