Geopolitics

Iranian President Rouhani’s Visit to India: An Analysis
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Issue Courtesy: CLAWS | Date : 18 Mar , 2018

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr Hassan Rouhani gifted an animated version of Kalila Wa Demna (Farsi translation of the Panchtantra) and a copy of the Mahabharat in Farsi to Prime Minister Narendra Modi

The relationship that has built up between Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has transformed New Delhi’s approach towards Chabahar port and Iranian nuclear deal. Once, India shunned Iran so as not to disenchant the US for supporting the implementation of Iranian nuclear deal. India also remained skeptical about the investment of millions on the Chabahar connectivity project due to trouble arising out of impending US sanctions. It was only after US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson’s visit to India in October 2017, where he stated that the US would not interfere with legitimate business conducted between India and Iran, especially Chabahar port project, was India equipped to re-engage with Iran at the highest level.[i]So, the visit by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to India can be viewed in this light. It also marks the continuation of a new phase of enhancing their strong contemporary and consultative mechanism with India, initiated by Prime Minister Modi last year. This has added impetus to the strategic dimension of Indo-Iran partnership which is likely to shape the regional dynamic.

The former Iranian President Mohammed Khatami visited India in 2003. After a gap of fifteen years, Hasan Rouhani’s trip is significant for Indian foreign policy.  Just a month earlier, India hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, followed by visits to Oman, UAE and Palestine to boost bilateral relations. By hosting Iran, India exhibits its foreign policy’s dexterity and nimbleness. Rouhani’s visit in this backdrop possibly indicates that Iran has no issues with India’s broadening bilateral relations with Arabs and Jews in West Asia.

At the start of his three days [15-17 February] state visit to India, Rouhani and Modi hailed each other for agreeing to cooperate in the field of finance, energy and connectivity, and also agreed to strengthen cultural ties. Rouhani landed at Begumpet airport at Hyderabad, where has was received by Union Minister of State for Power RK Singh and Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan. The following day, he visited the historic Mecca Masjid and famous Qutub Shahi tombs, calling for Global Muslim Unity. He said “unity among Shias, Sunnis and other Islamic denominations was the only solution to the problems faced by the Muslim world.[ii]

Nevertheless, Rouhani’s itinerary in Delhi on 17th February included meetings and banquets with Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj; a speech at Taj Hotel and Observer Research Foundation; meetings with Indian businessmen and officials of Indian chambers; an exclusive version of Kalila WaDemna”, which is the Farsi translation of the Panchatantra and a Farsi copy of the Mahabharata was presented to the Iran President.

The countries signed nine agreements to further strengthen the bilateral economic cooperation, trade and investment, agricultural cooperation, promotion of people to people contact and infrastructure initiatives – most importantly the development of Chabahar-Zahedan Rail line that will aid the transport of goods right up to the Afghan border. The two countries also embarked on a forward-looking agenda, seeking to enhance their dialogue and cooperation on key strategic sectors of importance. Both sectors are likely to continue their bilateral economic activities and further expand their cooperation in other areas, including education, tourism, science-technology and labour-entrepreneurship.

In a joint statement issued after delegation-level talks held on the third day of Rouhani’s visit, both the sides expressed their opinion on various regional and international issues, marked by a mutual desire to accelerate bilateral engagement and scale up their strategic partnership in the region. This is to be pursued in three ways. First, by strengthening existing pillars of trade and investment cooperation in the areas of connectivity, banking sector and energy partnership, including reaching an “appropriate” result on Farzad B gas field contract. Second, both sides agreed to venture into less explored areas of cooperation concerned on terrorism, security and other related issues such as organized crime, money-laundering, drug trafficking and cyber-crime. Both the sides also expressed their interest in cooperation possibilities in the maritime domain. And third, they agreed to facilitate the flow of people and ideas between the countries through policy expedition such as the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income; promotion of people to people contacts; extradition treaty and e-visa facility.[iii]

With a view to build on the strong foundations of civilization and cultural connect both the sides agreed to hold a festival of India in Iran in 2018/19, organize Indology courses for Iranian diplomats by Foreign Service Institute of India, support Persian language course in India and cooperate further in the areas of archaeology, museums, archives and libraries.[iv]

While both sides spoke of their vision for a strong partnership, Iran has undoubtedly been the senior partner in the relationship, which is posed more as one between vendor and client rather as one between equal partners. For India, Iran is the key gateway that provides entry to Central Asia and beyond. For instance, Chabahar Port will not only help India to bypass Pakistan in transporting goods to Afghanistan but will also give an opportunity to establish a station security vessel for merchant ships off the African coast apart from giving a foothold in the western Arabia Sea, which is important as many of its energy imports pass through the route. This will also provide impetus to the international North-South Transport Corridor in which both are initial signatories along with Russia. Thus, India affirmed its support for the full and effective implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). In other words, both the sides promised to support each other in international for on crucial issues.[v]

Although Indo-Iranian ties look full of prospects, the future of relationship depends on India’s capabilities to balance its art of diplomacy, especially with anti-Iranian countries like Israel, Arabs and the US. The nature of nuclear deal under Trump’s adamant policies towards Iran and its constant threat to implement new sanctions might affect Indo-Iran relationship in the long run.

On the Iranian front, China’s indication to link the Pakistan-China Gwadar project with Chabahar port will bring political clout post the Doklam conflict. In addition, Iran believes that India should not engage with the US to resolve regional conflict, including Afghanistan peace negotiation. Iran believes that the Afghanistan conflict cannot be resolved without dragging the Taliban to the negotiation table as they control 45% of the hinterland. On the other hand, Pakistani Prime Minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in a conference has implicitly stated that any “political” or “military” role for its archenemy India in Afghanistan is not called for. Though India and Iran share mutual concerns on resolving the Afghan conflict, Pakistani and US manoeuvrestend to further escalate the conflict.

Domestically, growing Iran-Pakistan alliance can also have some implications in terms of India’s Kashmir conflict. In fact, then Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Hassan Rouhani’s visit to India in August 1994, spoke about the treatment of Muslim minorities in India, including their “persecution” in the wake of Babri demolition and recognized the Hurriyat conference as “true representatives” of Kashmiris.[vi] Last year, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei commented on Kashmir conflict for the second time, urging support for its “oppressed Muslims”.[vii]

Both Iran and Pakistan are expressing their solidarity and support to the cause of Kashmir conflict. This stance is not acceptable to India as it is a matter of internal domestic concern of security. India as a matter of non-aligned principle does not comment on internal issues of stability and security of its neighboring countries. This attempt to internationalize the Kashmir conflict may bring Iran and Pakistan together, much to the displeasure of India.  However, at the same time, Iran cannot jeopardize its relations with India on the Kashmir. India needs to strategically convince Iran of Pakistan’ smal-intentions of internationalizing the issue.

In such a pull and push strategy, it will be interesting to observe how India-Iran relations manoeuvre in times to come.

References 

[i]Ganapathy, Nirmala. 2017. “Iran’s Chabahar Port May Be Game-Changer For India, Say Analysts”. The Straits Times. http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/irans-chabahar-port-may-be-game-changer-for-india-say-analysts.

[ii]“Highlights: Hassan Rouhani Visits Hyderabad As He Begins 3-Day India Visit”. 2018. NDTV.Com. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/live-hassan-rouhani-visits-hyderabad-as-he-begins-3-day-india-visit-1813196.

[iii]“India-Iran Joint Statement During Visit Of The President Of Iran To India (February 17, 2018)”. 2018. Mea.Gov.In. http://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/29495/IndiaIran+Joint+Statement+during+Visit+of+the+President+of+Iran+to+India+February+17+2018.

[iv] ibid

[v]Chowdhury, Anirban. 2018. “Five Things About Chabahar Port And How India Gains From It”. The Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/five-things-about-chabahar-port-and-how-india-gains-from-it/articleshow/52400399.cms.

[vi] “India, Iran: New Priorities Drive An Old, Up-Down Relationship”. 2016. The Indian Express. http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/iran-president-hassan-rouhani-india-visit-new-priorities-drive-an-old-up-down-relationship-5065905/.

[vii] News, India, and ShailajaNeelakantan. 2017. “Twice In 7 Days, Iran Talks Of ‘Oppressed’ Kashmir – Times Of India”. The Times Of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/twice-in-7-days-iran-talks-of-oppressed-kashmir/articleshow/59454492.cms.

Courtesy: http://www.claws.in/1877/iranian-president-rouhani%E2%80%99s-visit-to-india-an-analysis-nagapushpa-devendra.html

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