Iran and India Relations in the Regional Security

Document Type : Research Article (International Relation)

Author

visiting professor at allameh tabatab'i university

Abstract

The strategic map of Iran’s immediate neighborhood will change dramatically following the landmark nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1. Given the tremendous geo-strategic stakes involved, Iran has already begun to explore greater opportunities for economic and security cooperation in the region. This has implications for both India and Pakistan, which are tied to Iran strategically, but bitterly opposed to each other. Per the realist prescription of international relations, survival in an anarchic world requires all states to adopt the certain rational behavior, such as power maximization and balancing strategies. Depending to a large extent on their worldviews, all state leaders translate their perceptions of the locational advantages and vulnerabilities into geopolitical strategies. Iran is preparing itself for a wider and internationally legitimized regional role in which it can act pragmatically to enhance its reputation and take advantage of commercial opportunities wherever it finds them. The peoples of India and Iran, two ancient neighboring civilizations, have enjoyed close historical links through the ages. They had a common homeland and share a common linguistic and racial past. Over the several millennia, they interacted an enriched each other in the fields of language, religion, arts, food, ideologically, academically, and culturally and other traditions. Today the two countries enjoy warm, friendly relations and cooperate in a wide range of fields.

Keywords

Main Subjects

  1. ––––––––––, (2012), Transcript of on board media interaction of Prime Minister en route from Tehran to New Delhi, Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, August 31, 2012, available at http://www.mea.gov.in/in-focus-article.htm?20442.
  2. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­––––––––––, (2013), Department of Commerce, Export Import Data Bank Country Wise all commodities at http://commerce.nic.in/eidb/Icntcom.asp (accessed on May 12, 2013).
  3. ––––––––––, (2016), India links Rs 1.33 lakh crore investment in oil, gas, petrol projects in Iran, April 10.
  4. ––––––––––, (2016), India, Iran closer to Chabahar deal after Sushma Swaraj’s Visit, Times of India, April 18, 2016.
  5. Atul Aneja, (2013), Iran for bigger Indian role in Syria, at http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/iran-for-bigger-indian-role-in-syria/article4690795.ece
  6. Demir Azizov, (2016), Agreement on Central Asia –Persian Gulf corridor enters into force,” April 23.
  7. Mukesh Jagota and Saurabh Chaturvedi, (2013), India Approves Reinsurance Fund to Aid oil imports from Iran, at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323646604578402372992203816.html accessed on May 11, 2013.
  8. R. Sidda Goud, Manisha Mookherjee(edit), (2014), India and Iran in Contemporary Relations, Allied Publishers.
  9. Smruti S. Pattanaik, (2012), India's Afghan Policy: Beyond Bilateralism, Journal  Strategic Analysis, Vol 36, No, 4.
  10. V. Suresh, K. Ramesh, (2015), India – Iran relations: Prospects and challenges, African Journal of Political Science and International Relations, Vol.9(10). 
Volume 3, Issue 2
October 2016
Pages 11-22
  • Receive Date: 03 November 2015
  • Revise Date: 21 December 2015
  • Accept Date: 18 February 2016