India has arguably had a considerably greater political and diplomatic presence in West Asia than has China, thanks to New Delhi’s operationalization of the areas’ close physical proximity and rich cultural past. Other than stating that it was aware of stories about an agreement being reached and that it has always supported diplomacy and conversation, India has made no comments regarding the warming relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Source: News 18
Although many in West Asia have frequently emphasised that India is well-positioned to serve as a mediator in some of the disputes in the region, New Delhi has resisted the concept, at least in part because it has an official policy that opposes third-party mediation on Kashmir with Pakistan.
Economic ties have suffered as India battled sanctions against Iran while also seizing the chance to forge closer ties with the US by helping to facilitate negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme between the P5+1 states, which eventually resulted in the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015. When then-US President Donald Trump abruptly withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018, these alleged advantages gained by India in Washington were harmed.
Economic ties have waned, but New Delhi still has tangible strategic interests in Iran. These interests have grown in importance as a result of two significant political developments.
Source: Wall Street Journal
First, after an ineffective US withdrawal and the eventual collapse of the State in 2021, the Taliban will once again be in power in Afghanistan. Second, the geopolitical repercussions of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led to deeper military ties between Tehran and Moscow as Russia slowly shifted towards China for both political and economic backing.
Geographical realities will force New Delhi to interact with these very actors on its Western front, particularly on security and counterterrorism-related matters, despite a significantly elevated threat from China. The National Security Adviser Ajit Doval’s most recent trip to Moscow and meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin demonstrate how important India still considers Russian contacts with the Taliban, Central Asia, and its perspective on the Afghanistan-Pakistan crisis. As a result, Iran continues to be strategically important for Indian interests.
There are still many unsolved problems, thus China’s ability to act as a peacemaker in West Asia must be tested. China has made its intentions known, whether it is successful or not, and New Delhi will need to change some of its regional views.
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