It is intriguing that, despite widespread Western hostility towards Iran and its fundamentalist regimeknown for its antagonism toward Israel and support for groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis, both designated as terrorist organizationsIndia maintains a close relationship with Tehran. This relationship is particularly surprising given Indias strong military ties with Israel and the United States, as well as its firm stance against terrorism due to its own experiences with numerous jihadist attacks.
Nevertheless, Indias approach to Iran remains pragmatic. A key aspect of this relationship is Indias significant investment in the development of the Chabahar Port in south-eastern Iran. This port offers India a direct maritime link to its western coast, home to some of the worlds largest refinery complexes. This connection is vital for India, which is heavily dependent on energy imports. Iranian crude oil, not pegged to US dollar-dominated benchmarks like West Texas Intermediate or North Sea Brent, provides India with a strategic alternative. However, US sanctions, particularly those imposed by the Trump administration in 2019, forced India to scale back its oil imports from Iran.
There is another reason why Chabahar Port is gaining increased significance in the current geopolitical landscape. Through Iran it provides indirect access to landlocked Afghanistan, now under Taliban control. During the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan, the port received limited attention due to its location in Iran. However, with the Taliban now in power and India establishing new channels of communication with Afghanistan's regime, the port's strategic value has grown. This is particularly crucial as Afghanistan, under Taliban rule, has recently experienced escalating border tensions with Indias b�te noire Pakistan.
Despite challenges, India maintains strong diplomatic ties with Iran, driven in part by domestic political dynamics and its contentious relationship with neighbouring Pakistan. Unlike Iran, which is predominantly Shia, Pakistan is a Sunni-majority state where minoritiesincluding Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, and even Shia Muslimsface significant discrimination. Shias constitute about 10% of Pakistans population, roughly 23 million people. Similarly, Shias make up about 10% of Indian Muslims, totalling approximately 20 million. Both groups share a cultural and religious admiration for Iran, given its Shia heritage.
Indias historical and political context further shapes its relationship with Iran. At the time of Indias independence, Muslim-majority Pakistan declared itself an Islamic republic, while India adopted a secular constitution despite its Hindu majority. Today, Indias democratic framework and electoral politics make the support of its sizable Muslim populationaround 23% of the total populationpolitically significant. Within this context, Shia Muslims in India often find common ground with political parties representing Hindu interests, contrasting with Sunni Muslims, who may feel greater affinity with Pakistan.
Media coverage of the discrimination faced by Pakistans Shia population further deepens the divide, fostering resentment among Indian Shias toward Pakistan. In contrast, Iran, with its Shia-dominated government, is held in high regard by Indian Shias, who admire the countrys Ayatollahs. This cultural and political dynamic heavily influences Indias foreign policy towards Iran.
Indias relationship with Iran also plays a role in broader regional geopolitics. For instance, during the Syrian Civil War, the pro-Iranian Assad regime was toppled by Sunni fundamentalist forces. This development aligned Indian and Iranian intelligence efforts, as both nations perceived the new regime as a potential threat and sought to pre-empt Sunni-led terror attacks on their territories.
Iran, facing pressure from Israel and the US, has increasingly recognized the strategic value of its ties with India. An example of this is Irans attempts to facilitate the release of Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse facing the death penalty in Yemen for murdering a Yemeni citizen. Such gestures underscore the depth of the Indo-Iranian relationship.
The question remains: Can India leverage its influence with Iran to promote stability and peace in the volatile Middle East?
