This edited book is an outcome of the International Conference on ‘India and Iran in Contemporary Relations’, organized by the Centre for Indian Ocean Studies, Osmania University in cooperation with the Iran Consulate General at Hyderabad in India in November 2013. The book addresses the India-Iran bilateral relations dating back to the beginning of the Indo-Aryan civilization in the 7th Century B.C. to the current global controversy over the Iranian nuclear programme and India’s stand on the issue of sanctions imposed by the United States. The book highlights besides economic and commercial ties, the strong cultural relations. The volume analyses in depth the new areas of cooperation and conflict, the extra regional powers, energy and nuclear security and economic and trade cooperation. This book will be of considerable interest to students and scholars of international relations, sociology, politics and economics.
The two countries India and Iran are among the oldest civilisations of the world and their relations are not new. The relations between the two are of centuries old and it is also said that the two nations belong to a same family that lived for many centuries in the pasture land of Central Asia (Oxus Valley). The centuries old mutual interaction enriched each other customs, tradition, art, and architecture. During medieval period their interaction increased to such a level that it left a permanent stamp on each other’s culture, tradition, art and architecture. During the period, India became the second home of Iranian culture, art, architecture, festivals and art of gardening. Even Persian language was made a tool of communication not only in the official matters but also as a means for interchange of thoughts, culture and literature between the two countries. There is a long list of important books related to different aspects of life like astronomy, art, health and hygiene, history, mathematics, unani-medicine, music, and religion which were translated. However with the emergence of British rule over India, both the countries lost their linkages and contacts between them. No doubt after the end of British rule in India both the countries tried to develop their relations but the incidents like creation of Pakistan, emergence of cold war, and Iran’s recognition as well as support to Pakistan during India-Pakistan as well as emergence of Iranian revolution, and Iran-Iraq war restricted their mutual cooperation. With the turn of twenty first century, both the countries experienced stability in their both domestic and global affairs which led them to economic development. In contemporary times India and Iran occupies great strategic significance in their respective regional power structure. India is not only one the fastest growing economy of the world and of the south Asian region but also provides a big market. While Iran on the other hand, occupies great strategic importance not only because of its geographic location but also due to its energy resources. The present study is a modest attempt to analyse Indo-Iran relations. Keeping in view the past, present and future prospects of the relations between the two countries, a thorough study has been carried out in terms of understanding the nature of India and Iran relations. The study aims to understand the different dimensions of India and Iran relations of recent times. It not only deeply analyses the areas that strengthen their bilateral cooperation, and the influence of external powers particularly of US and Israel. But it goes further deep by discussing in detail the areas that would led to inter- regional integration by interconnecting South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia and Europe. And ultimately would take the regional economic development and peace to new heights. The study highlights the strategic importance of Iran for India not only with respect to the availability of energy resources and market for Indian goods and services but also Iran is would play a very significant role in transforming India into a new emerging power at both global and regional level. Keeping all these things in mind the book has been based on six chapters which deals with different aspects. The chapter first presents the historical overview, chapter second present comparative study of principles of foreign policies of both the countries. Chapter third, deals with the areas of cooperation and conflict between India and Iran. Fourth chapter discusses the influence of external powers on India and Iran relations. Chapter fifth studies the India and Iran relations in changing regional scenario. Despite non-availability of primary sources, efforts have been made to collect important and relevant data and special attention and care has been taken for the reliability of the sources of data which has been put to analytical study to arrive at certain conclusions.
Since the outbreak of the Arab Spring the Middle East is going through a turbulent phase as violence, internal conflicts and civil wars are ravaging a number of countries. Even relatively stable Gulf monarchies are not untouched by the impact of popular demand for change. For India, the Persian Gulf is an extended neighbourhood and the region of vital importance receives scant attention. In the light of the Arab Spring, Iranian nuclear deal and the rise of ISIS, it has become impossible for India to be indifferent to the changing internal dynamics. Please note: Taylor & Francis does not sell or distribute the Hardback in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
This book examines India’s relationship with Iran since the post-World War II period and its unique search for meaningful bilateral ties in the West Asian region in the context of the changing regional and international scenarios. The four chapters highlight the achievements and constraints on the development of Indo-Iranian relations during the Cold War era; opportunities and limitations in bilateral engagements between India and Iran in the aftermath of the Cold War; impact of the ‘US factor’ on the development of crucial Indo-Iranian energy ties and the limitation imposed by India’s relations with Israel and Saudi Arabia on the India–Iran ties. More specifically, the four chapters touch on the central drivers—energy imports, access to Central Asia, cooperation in Afghanistan, mutual trade and economic investments and security ties—of India’s Iran policy, and how they structure India’s interaction with the other countries of the region and impact on the articulation of national interests. Combining a rich interplay of facts and figures with nuanced analyses, this volume will be a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, diplomats and any interested reader desirous of knowing more about Indo-Iranian relations in particular and India’s West Asia policy in general. Please note: Taylor & Francis does not sell or distribute the Hardback in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
Saudi Arabia is a unique country at least in three specific details. One it possesses more than a quarter of the global oil reserves has been the largest oil producer for over half a century and is the only producer with a spare production capacity today. Two the holiest Islamic shrines are located in Makkah and Medina placing the country in the epicentre of the Muslim sacred space. Three it is one of the last surviving ruling monarchies and the only one that has named the country after its own family name. Saudi Arabia is worth a scrutiny. The political economic and social situation in the country its foreign policy and Indo-Saudi relations are focused in this book. The authors with different perspectives and on different Subjects have coalesced to put together a volume that is a serious and well-rounded treatment of the theme.
The volume, comprised of fourteen contributions from specialists in the field, is a serious attempt to address and analyze key factors affecting US interests. It suggests measures for the US policy makers and provides a policy framework for enabling the US to face challenges and opportunities in the Muslim world.
Iran's nuclear aspirations increasingly dominate its relations with the United States and Europe. China remains one of Iran's strongest allies on the Security Council, and also its most likely supplier of technology and assistance, built on decades of close economic and military relations. Iran is enjoying strong new influence in the Middle East and Asia following record oil profits and Shi'i victories in Iraqi parliamentary elections. Like Iran, China fought for decades to increase its self-reliance and geopolitical influence after painful experiences under European colonialism, which spurred nationalist revolutions. With China and Iran: Ancient Partners in a Post-Imperial World, John Garver breaks new ground on the relationship between the People's Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Grounding his survey in the twin concepts of civilization and power, Garver explores the relationship between these two ancient and proud peoples, each of which consider the other a peer and a partner in their mutual determination to build a post-Western-dominated Asia. Successive governments of both China and Iran have recognized substantial national capabilities in each other, capabilities that allow the countries to achieve their own national interests through cooperation. These interests have varied - from countering Soviet expansionism to resisting U.S. unilateralism - but the cooperative relationship between the two nations has remained constant. In his compelling analysis, Garver explores the evolution of Sino-Iranian relations through several phases, including Iran under the shah and before the 1979 revolution; from the 1979 revolution to 1989, a year marked both by the end of the Iran-Iraq war and the beginning of conflict in Sino-U.S. relations; and from 1989 to 2004. China and Iran includes discussion of the current debates at the International Atomic Energy Agency over Iran's nuclear programs and China's role in assisting these programs and in supporting Iran in international debates. Garver examines China's involvement in Iran's efforts to modernize its military, including China's offer of weapons, capital goods, and engineering services in exchange for Iranian oil, suggesting links between this energy exchange and China's support for Iran in political arenas. In today's political climate, where China is recognized as a rising and increasingly influential global power and Iran as one of the most powerful nations in the Middle East, this book presents a crucial analysis of a topic of utmost importance to scholars and the general public today.
Religion, nationalism, ethnicity, economics, and geopolitics all are important in explaining Iran's goals and tactics in its relationship with the outside world, as are the agendas of key security institutions and the ambitions of their leaders. This report assesses Iran's security policy in light of these factors. It examines broad drivers of Iran's security policy, describes important security institutions, explores decisionmaking, and reviews Iran's relations with key countries. The authors conclude that Iraq is widely recognized as the leading threat to Iran's Islamic regime and Afghanistan is seen as an emerging threat. In contrast, Iran has solid, if not necessarily warm, relations with Syria and established working ties to Pakistan and Russia. Iran's policies toward its neighbors are increasingly prudent: It is trying to calm regional tension and end its isolation, although its policies toward Israel and the United States are often an exception to this policy. Iran's security forces, particularly the regular military, are often voices of restraint, preferring shows of force to overactive confrontations. Finally, Iran's security forces generally respect and follow the wishes of Iran's civilian leadership; conducting rogue operations is rare to nonexistent.
In this volume, scholars specializing in different dimensions of foreign-policy analysis examine the dynamics of India's international relations. The volume reviews the economic growth that has propelled it to the status of a globally recognized power, and examines its nuclear policy and maritime strategy as a register of its present capabilities and future aspirations. The news media, often neglected in the study of international politics, are studied as an important index to-and catalysis for-the formulation of government policies. The volume also comprehensively analyses India's bilateral and multilateral relations, their influence on the stability of the subcontinent, their bearing on the country's international presence, and their relevance for its political ambitions.
