Iran Calls India a ‘Longtime Friend’ Ahead of BRICS, Why Trump and Pakistan-China Are Getting Nervous

Tehran: Tehran has made its stand clear regarding relations between India and Iran. Iran has described its relations with India as extremely important and mentioned the continuously increasing cooperation between the two countries. This statement has come at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pejeshkian met recently.

This meeting of the two leaders took place during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit held in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan on August 31. It is believed that after this meeting, discussions regarding economic and strategic cooperation between India and Iran may intensify.

What did Iran say about relations with India?

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Bagei spoke on relations between India and Iran in a press conference on Monday. He said that historical and civilisational relations between the two countries have been going on for a long time.

Bagai clarified that Iran considers its relations with India very important. He also said that cooperation between the two countries in many fields is continuously progressing. Apart from trade and economic cooperation, talks also take place between the two countries on regional issues.

What will be the discussion between India and Iran in BRICS conference?

The BRICS summit to be held in New Delhi can become another important platform for talks between India and Iran. The 18th BRICS summit is to be held in New Delhi from 11 to 13 September and this time it is being presided over by India.

According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Iran will use this platform to pursue talks with India on issues of common interest. Issues related to trade, economic cooperation and regional situations are likely to be discussed between the two countries.

Iran is a member of BRICS and its representatives are expected to visit India for the conference.

Why are eyes fixed on Chabahar Port?

The issue of Chabahar port is also going to be important in the talks between India and Iran. The Iranian spokesperson said that Chabahar is often an important topic in the discussions between the two countries.

Chabahar Port is very important for India from strategic and commercial point of view. Through this, India has been trying to strengthen its connectivity to Central Asia and Afghanistan. India has been investing and supporting this project for a long time.

Chabahar is also often seen as India's strategic alternative to Pakistan's Gwadar port. In such a situation, cooperation between India and Iran on this project is considered important for both the countries.

Why is America eyeing India-Iran relations?

Amidst the increasing contact between India and Iran, America is also keeping an eye on this relationship. America has imposed many economic sanctions on Iran and has been demanding other countries follow these sanctions as well.

Recently, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while reacting to the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Iranian President Pejeshkian, had said that he did not think the purpose of the meeting was to pave the way for a new trade agreement between India and Iran.

Rubio also said that every country has the right to decide its foreign policy, but no country should help Iran avoid US sanctions.

In such a situation, after Iran has described relations with India as important, the question is being raised of which direction the economic and strategic cooperation between New Delhi and Tehran will move in the future. India will have to balance between US sanctions and its strategic interests, especially regarding Chabahar Port and trade relations.