India and West Asia: Iran

India Iran’s relationship traces its origin to the medieval period with the arrival of the Islamic rulers.
Modern relations were established in 1950.

1950 – Signing of India-Iran friendship treaty.
1971 – Iran supported Pakistan in the 1971 war as Iran was an ally of the US.
1979 – The relation remained lukewarm in the context of the Cold War, but improved towards the end of 1979 after the Islamic Revolution there.
1980 – A joint commission was established between the two countries.
2001 & 2003 – Signing of strategic partnerships.
2016 – Trilateral agreement on trade, transport, and transit.
2018 – Iran’s president visited India and signed an MoU forthe construction of Chabahar port in Iran as part of INSTC.

Historical Relations
- Ancient Ties: The relationship between ancient Persia and India dates back millennia, with significant cultural and trade exchanges
- Cold War Era: During the Cold War, India’s non-aligned stance and close ties with the Soviet Union contrasted with Iran’s alignment with the Western Bloc, leading to strained relations.
Political Cooperation
- Common Platforms: Share common platforms like International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
Strategic Cooperation
- Chabahar Port: India has invested significantly in Iran’s Chabahar Port to bypass Pakistan and access Afghanistan and Central Asia. This port is a critical component of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), connecting India to Russia and Europe
Economic Engagement
- Energy Cooperation: Iran has been a key supplier of crude oil to India. In 2017, it accounted for 11.2% of India’s oil imports. However, U.S. sanctions have disrupted this trade
- Trade Relations
  - Indian exports to Iran include rice, tea, fertilizers, machinery, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
  - Iranian exports to India primarily consist of crude oil, organic chemicals, fertilizers, and precious stones

Iran’s nuclear deals and sanctions by the US on Iran.
Iran’s support of proxy war groups like Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza triggered instability in the region.
Iran’s growing ties with China through a $400 billion infrastructure deal.
India’s strategic partnerships with Israel and the U.S. complicate its relations with Tehran.