Iran Seeks Support from India Amid Tensions with the U.S.
As the conflict between Iran and the United States escalates, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reached out to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for support during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Bishkek. This meeting comes at a critical time when President Donald Trump has threatened to ‘hit Iran hard’ after strikes on an American base in Jordan.
Significance of the Meeting
The face-to-face meeting between Pezeshkian and Modi is significant due to the context of the ongoing Iran-U.S. war. According to retired Indian Army Colonel Rajeev Agrawal, two main reasons highlight the importance of this meeting. Firstly, it marks the first in-person dialogue between the leaders since the war began. Secondly, Iran sees India as an influential global player, making Pezeshkian’s statements carry weight on the international stage.
Pezeshkian argued that the U.S. has chosen the path of war, failing to honor its commitments from a memorandum signed in June. He expressed Iran’s willingness to collaborate with India, despite challenges, in various fields.
Modi emphasized strengthening India’s friendly ties with Iran and called for peace and regional stability. He stressed the importance of safeguarding navigation and commerce in the region amid tensions.
Iran’s Economic and Strategic Maneuvers
Iran has targeted infrastructure and vessels in the Persian Gulf as a pressure tactic against the U.S. India condemned such actions, including an attack last month that resulted in the death of an Indian sailor. Despite this, India continues to call for de-escalation and recognizes the value in maintaining diplomacy with Iran.
Pezeshkian encouraged Modi to leverage his contacts to foster dialogue and agreements, moving away from warfare.
The SCO’s Role in Global Dynamics
The SCO, formed in 2001, provides a multilateral platform for dialogue and cooperation. The organization does not function as a security alliance but rather focuses on political, economic, and security ties among member countries like China, Russia, and Central Asian nations, with India and Pakistan joining in 2017, followed by Iran in 2023.
Ali Ahmadi from the Geneva Centre for Security Policy remarked that while the SCO will not act as an ‘Asian NATO,’ its role remains vital in economic and military coordination, offering Iran avenues to influence global policies and fortify trade routes.
India’s Balanced Foreign Policy
India’s position in the geopolitical landscape remains complex, balancing relationships amid global power shifts. The SCO summit highlights India’s strategy of diversification, rather than strict alignment, across its partnerships with the Gulf States, Iran, and Israel.
Despite recent military and diplomatic tensions involving Pakistan, China, and Saudi Arabia, India maintains its longstanding approach of balanced engagement, such as accelerating projects like the Chabahar port in Iran.
India views Iran as crucial for connectivity plans with Afghanistan and Central Asia, reinforcing the importance of sustained diplomatic channels amid regional uncertainty.