By: Javad Masoumi, Iranian researcher and analyst
The relations between Iran and India have had significant international relations and interactions throughout history, which brought about a new phase of interaction between India and Iran after the Iranian Islamic Revolution in 1979. Iran and India have improved the level of economic and trade relations in 2018 with the lease agreement of a part of Chabahar port, and these relations are expanding in other fields, including investment in oil exploration. India can achieve great achievements by developing its trade relations with Iran in securing energy resources. Therefore, the progress of strategic partnerships, including the economic ones of Tehran and Delhi, will not be far from expected in the future.
It is noteworthy that India pays special attention to the development of Chabahar port and the Chabahar port project can be one of the most important economic interactions between Iran and India. The reason is that the Chabahar Port project will bring India into Central Asia, especially Afghanistan. It is noteworthy that according to the statements of Indian officials, cooperation between India and Iran was not limited to ports. Delhi is willing to invest in the petrochemical sector and crude oil production and to build an undersea gas pipeline from Chabahar to India. Tehran seems to be seeking to strengthen its economic partnership with Delhi, like other major powers, including Russia and China. These policies will create new job opportunities and improve the living standards of the people of Iran, especially in the southeastern regions of Iran.
Therefore, it can be said that by strengthening strategic relations with India, Iran will activate important sectors such as oil and natural gas and road corridor. On the other hand, since India has become a growing economic power, Iran can trust India in attracting investment; Because due to the chaotic economic situation in Europe caused by the war in Ukraine, it has become difficult to procure goods and services from Europe, and India is a relatively suitable alternative for Iran in the field of technology and technical expertise. What is certain is that India shows a special interest in strengthening the oil partnership with Iran. Because Iran is a vital resource for this country to obtain crude oil or natural gas resources. On the other hand, India has had good and cordial relations with the countries of the Persian Gulf and Iran’s recent diplomatic negotiations with countries such as Saudi Arabia and Bahrain will help to deepen the relations between Iran and India.
The author’s recommendation in these lines is that due to the backwardness in the economic relations between Iran and India, the faster restoration of diplomatic relations between Iran and the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf will have a good effect on the economic progress of Iran and India. Reviving these relations with Iran’s other neighbors in Central Asia, especially Afghanistan, has also had a significant impact, and it can be said that even Iran’s relations with the Taliban will be beneficial for India. The North-South International Transport Corridor aims to connect India, Iran, Afghanistan, Russia, and Central Asia. Iran and India can play an important role in completing this corridor and benefiting from the trade benefits resulting from it.
Overall; For India, Iran’s location is strategic and decisive due to its special and unique geography between the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea. Iran is important for India; because it provides routes to connect Afghanistan and Central Asia; Also, Iran has one of the largest reserves of crude oil and natural gas, which India can take advantage of to provide its energy needs. In fact, India’s strategic position is also very important for Iran; Because India is the first country with a large economy and a high demographic benefit, which makes Iran rank next to the fifth largest economy.
Due to the tension in the northwest of Iran; India’s special approach to the South Caucasus, especially the Zangzor Corridor, is noteworthy and important. The South Caucasus region with the three countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia have formed a well-defined geographical region. India does not have the same policy in the South Caucasus with the three mentioned countries and deals with each country separately based on its foreign policy. The closeness of Azerbaijan’s strategic relations with Pakistan, Baku has repeatedly promoted and confirmed Pakistan’s narrative of the Kashmir issue. From India’s point of view, Baku is a constant irritant. In general, India has adopted a balanced position regarding the dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh. But the geographical location of South Caucasus is important for India as a suitable corridor for India’s connection with Russia through Central Asia and Iran. Because Armenia and Azerbaijan are members of the North-South international transport corridor. The South Caucasus region has great potential for India, which can provide some of India’s needs for raw materials, technology, energy, minerals, gold and natural uranium.
The next important issue is the deep security relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan from tactical to strategic level. In fact, in the scene of Maidan, we are witnessing the participation of India’s relations with Armenia due to Pakistan’s military relations with Azerbaijan. The lack of an economic system in the South Caucasus region has created a good opportunity for India and Turkey that these two countries, India and Turkey, are competing in the Eurasian region. It seems that due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, India has found a suitable opportunity to deliver military weapons to Armenia and take action. In this regard, Yerevan has introduced India as its partner. In fact, India’s conflict in the Caucasus is based on the principle of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”. India’s diplomacy and its coordination with Armenia in the United Nations General Assembly showed that India considers the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis similar to the Kashmir issue.
On the other hand, the Iran-Armenia border is also vital for India in some aspects; Because if it is cut, India’s connection to the Black Sea will be possible only through Azerbaijan, which has deep strategic relations with its rival, Pakistan. For this reason, Armenia has also publicly supported India on the Kashmir issue. Therefore, in recent years, important agreements have been made in the field of defense procurement from India to Armenia. Delhi showed alignment with Tehran on the issue of Zangzor Corridor and demanded to recognize the territorial integrity of Armenia. Because the borders of Iran and Armenia are vital for India. Because India’s connection to the Black Sea will be practically cut off; And on the other hand, the north-south corridor will be almost eliminated; Therefore, the existence of a common border between Iran and Armenia is very important for India, which has increased the recent military aid to Armenia.
International researcher, Dr. Javad Masoumi
