New Delhi, June 25 -- India and Iran on Thursday discussed strengthening energy cooperation and bilateral trade during a meeting on the sidelines of a BRICS energy ministers' gathering in New Delhi.

Iranian oil ministry news outlet Shana first reported the development after a meeting between the oil ministers of both countries. India's Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, met with Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad and discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sector.

The Iranian oil minister met with Puri on the second day of his visit to India and stressed the significance of boosting cooperation between Tehran and New Delhi.

Historically, India has been a crucial buyer of Iranian crude...