The BRICS summit boost to India-Iran ties. India and Iran, The Hindu Editorial Explanation 4th November 2024.

Introduction

At the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia (October 22-24, 2024), India and Iran held an important meeting on the sidelines of the main event. This meeting attracted a lot of attention because India and Iran have a long history of friendly relations, but their partnership has slowed down in recent years. Iran, currently dealing with the conflict in Gaza, is seeking India’s support to calm the situation. India, on its part, has publicly called for a ceasefire and a quick de-escalation, emphasizing peaceful solutions. India’s position in global diplomacy is strong because it has friendly ties with both sides of the conflict, Israel and Iran, which makes it a trusted mediator.

Article Explanation

Strengthening the Partnership Between India and Iran

This meeting was the first between India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian. They agreed that there is a lot of potential in the India-Iran relationship that hasn’t been fully utilized. President Pezeshkian praised India’s growing influence on the global stage and expressed hope that India could help reduce tensions in the Gaza conflict. He also thanked India for supporting Iran’s entry into key international groups like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and BRICS in recent years.

The leaders discussed areas where India and Iran could work together, such as the development of Iran’s Chabahar port and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). The Chabahar port is a critical project because it provides India with a direct trade route to Iran, bypassing Pakistan, and offers access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. India and Iran signed a 10-year contract for operating the Chabahar port earlier this year, showing the importance of this project in their relationship. Additionally, India and Iran are working to connect Chabahar by rail to other parts of Iran, which would further improve trade routes.

Iran’s Energy Resources and Importance to India

Iran is very important for India’s energy needs because it has large reserves of crude oil and natural gas. Iran’s oil reserves are among the largest in the world, with around 209 billion barrels of oil and nearly 34,000 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Although Iran has faced tough economic sanctions, it still produces a large amount of oil and has increased its oil exports this year. In the past, Iran supplied up to 12% of India’s oil needs, and if relations continue to improve, India might resume oil and gas imports from Iran. This would be very beneficial for India’s energy security.

India and Iran have also discussed the possibility of a gas pipeline connecting Iran, Oman, and India, which has been in planning stages for many years. In 2022, Iran and Oman agreed to work on two undersea gas pipelines. If these pipelines are successful, they could eventually connect to India, helping India meet its growing energy demand.

Possibilities for Military Cooperation

There is also potential for India and Iran to work together in defense. The two countries signed a defense agreement in 2001, but it didn’t move forward because of international sanctions on Iran. In recent years, however, Iran has developed new weapons, including ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, and armed drones. India could benefit from Iran’s expertise, especially since it is looking to develop its own affordable and effective armed drones.

India and Iran could also cooperate to counter terrorism, especially due to shared concerns over terrorist groups operating from Pakistan. They could conduct joint exercises and share intelligence to improve security. India might also benefit from having access to Iranian ports for its navy, which could help with regional security in the Persian Gulf.

Challenges and the Future of India and Iran Relations

India’s approach to diplomacy has helped it maintain good relations with both Iran and Israel, even though these two countries often have opposing interests. India is known for pursuing an independent foreign policy, focusing on its own national interests. However, tensions sometimes arise due to statements by leaders in Iran, especially if they comment on India’s internal issues.

For example, in September, Iran’s Supreme Leader compared the struggles of Indian Muslims to those in Gaza, which led to strong reactions from India. Despite these occasional disagreements, both countries recognize the importance of their relationship and are committed to working together.

Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India is actively expanding its partnerships in West Asia. Similarly, Iran wants to build on its recent diplomatic achievements and sees India as an essential partner.

In Conclusion, this meeting at the BRICS Summit may be a turning point that helps both countries strengthen their ties and work more closely on shared goals.

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