[Answered] India-Iran relations have witnessed ups and down over the decades, mostly owing to factors that go beyond strictly bilateral issues, however there are a number of areas of convergence and enhanced engagement to consider. Discuss.

India and Iran share close historical ties from the times of Persian Empire and Indian kingdoms. The two countries shared a border until India’s partition and independence in 1947. Iran is also important to India as it provides an alternate route of connectivity to Afghanistan and Central Asian republics, in the absence of permission for India to use the land route through Pakistan. However, some issues are hampering the progress in relations, which are out of scope of bilateral relations.

Issues:

• Sanctions: Instead of increasing Indian oil imports, building up the Chabahar rail project and scaling up trade, India has drastically cut its Iranian engagement due to sanctions, while Iran has looked to China for more infrastructure investment.
• India-Israel ties: Ties appeared to have been hit by India’s decision to join the Israel-India-UAE-U.S. group, portrayed as an “anti-Iran” coalition.
• There are other sticky issues, too, like Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen launching drone attacks against Saudi Arabia and UAE, both close partners to India, or Iran’s statement on the Modi government’s abrogation of Article 370 of Indian Constitution, which gave special status to Kashmir.

Areas of convergence:

• Energy: The Iran-Oman-India gas pipeline has been stuck for a long time. There is potential for the pipeline being extended to India, which would help overcome the loss of the failed Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) pipeline and facilitate the supply of natural gas to India.
• Connectivity: India and Iran could well play a major part in giving International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) the required boost to reap benefits of resultant trade.
• Role in Afghanistan: Iran’s role as a viable direct land route to Afghanistan is undisputable. India and Iran have the potential to build a common and effective policy of engagement with Afghanistan in the future.
• Iran nuclear deal: It offers the next opportunity for convergence between India and Iran.
• India, which has stressed exercising its strategic autonomy while importing oil from Russia amid sanctions on Russia due to its war with Ukraine, could explore a similar decision point in Iran. It would open up a huge potential for trade and cooperation.

India and Iran have a lot that can be achieved together. The assertive diplomacy being practiced by India, emphasizing on standing by its neighbours and friends and focusing solely on fulfilling its national interests, is a refreshing change. If India can extend the same vision toward its engagement with Iran, it could open a huge potential of cooperation between these two great nations.