Iran and India had established their formal diplomatic relations in 1950, since then it was a roller coaster ride for both the countries , geopolitical and economic importance of Iran is vital for Indian business and Energy security.
Changing priorities
1. Land bridge - Iran acts as a important base for India and provide last mile connectivity to central Asia and Russia. INSTC and development of Chabahar are few steps in this direction.
2.Energy Security - Iran is major Importer of Oil to India , and India also has vested interest in its oil fields such as farzad B field.
3 Economic ties - After lifting of ban on Iran ,India has expedite the process of developing Chabahar port and the same time India released locked Iranian payments in Indian banks.
5 Hostile Pakistan - Non coperation of pakistan in providing transit corridor to Afghan and Indian operators , thus development of Chabahar-Zahedan road network is vital to India_ afghan business.
6 Cultural ties - Presence of parsi communities and Shia's serve as a cultural bridge between India & Iran.
7 Chinese Angle - Absence of India from OBOR and deveopment of CPEC network poses business challenges , which can be countered through INSTC and Chabahar project.So that India will not loose its markets to China in a longer run.
8. earlier middle east politics was encircling Arab- Israel equation. Now when most of the Arab world has accepted Israel , this issue has lost significance. However a new equation in terms of Shia- Sunni rivalry has taken the center stage. Shia group lead by Iran is countering Sunni dominated Gulf country. Here India has a challenging task of balancing its engagement in the region
9. After Civil nuclear deal between US & Iran, Iran is not outcast anymore & India can plan its engagement accordingly
10.Iran is facilitating access to Afghanistan via Chabahr port
11. In largely unstable middle east Iran is only biggest country which is politically stable, liberal & comparatively open to outer world
12. China also trying to fortify its cooperation with Iran, This makes Iran even more important for India.
13. Shia population in Iran finds Indian Muslims more close than Wahhabi sect or Pakistani Muslims.
CONCLUSION:Iran can be an important ally for India in middle east. Both share a complimentary relationship where Iran can ensure India's energy security while Iran can be benefited out of India's prowess in field of information technology , medicine & space science. where additional advantage of close people to people ties can certainly provide a conducive environment.
