Eleanor Finch
India and Iran have had a millennia-long history of interactions, with close relations dating back to ancient times. In the modern era, the two countries have maintained diplomatic relations, signing a friendship treaty in 1950 and continuing to cooperate in various sectors, including trade, security, and energy. Despite some differences in their foreign policies and alignments, both countries have recognised the importance of bilateral ties and sought to deepen their cooperation. This is evident through high-level exchanges, commercial ventures, and cultural connections.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History of Interactions | India and Iran have a millennia-long history of interactions. |
| Geography | The Indian subcontinent and Iranian Plateau are adjacent geographical regions. |
| Trade Relations | India and Iran have significant trade ties, particularly in crude oil imports into India and diesel exports to Iran. |
| Scholarship Opportunities | India provides 67 scholarships every year to Iranian students under various schemes. |
| Tourism | Around 40,000 Iranians visit India annually. |
| Education | Kendriya Vidyalaya Tehran, the Embassy of India School, serves Indian citizens living in Tehran. |
| Cultural Ties | The world's largest population of Zoroastrians is the Parsi community in India, who migrated from Persia and have contributed significantly to Indian politics, industry, science, and culture. |
| Military Cooperation | India and Iran could potentially conduct joint military counterterrorism exercises to combat terror groups operating in Pakistan. |
| Naval Cooperation | Close naval cooperation with Iran helps ensure the safe passage of Indian ships and the security of sea lanes in the Arabian Sea. |
| Diplomatic Exchanges | There have been multiple high-level diplomatic exchanges between the two countries, including visits by Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers. |
| Bilateral Consultative Mechanisms | India and Iran have several Bilateral Consultative Mechanisms in place, including Joint Committee Meetings, Foreign Office Consultations, and Security Consultations. |
| Joint Working Groups | The two countries have Joint Working Groups to facilitate cooperation in various sectors of mutual interest. |
| Chabahar Port Development | India and Iran have jointly financed the development of the Chabahar Port, with India investing 20 billion US dollars. |
| Trilateral Agreement | India, Iran, and Afghanistan signed the Trilateral Agreement on Trade, Transport, and Transit. |
| Regional Relations | India and Iran have a natural geopolitical rivalry, and their relations are impacted by Iran's relations with the US, China, and Israel. |
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What You'll Learn
- India and Iran have a millennia-long history of interactions
- India and Iran have friendly relations in many areas
- India and Iran have significant trade ties
- India and Iran have a history of joint military counterterrorism exercises
- India and Iran have a history of mutual opposition to Pakistani resolutions
India and Iran have a millennia-long history of interactions
During the Middle Ages, there was a fusion of medieval Persian culture in India, especially during the Delhi Sultanate until the period of Mughal Hindustan. In the 17th century, the Mughal and Persian Safavid empires fought for decades over Kandahar in Afghanistan.
In modern times, India and Iran established diplomatic relations on 15 March 1950, and the two countries signed a friendship treaty. However, the partition of India in 1947 meant that India was no longer a neighbouring country to Iran. Despite this, relations between the two nations remained healthy, and they continue to share strong civilisational and cultural links.
India and Iran are important trade partners, with India being among Iran's five largest trade partners in recent years. Major Indian exports to Iran include rice, tea, sugar, pharmaceuticals, man-made staple fibres, electrical machinery, and artificial jewellery. Meanwhile, major Indian imports from Iran consist of dry fruits, inorganic/organic chemicals, and glassware. India is also helping develop the Chabahar port, which will give it access to the oil and gas resources in Iran and Central Asian states.
In addition to economic ties, the two countries also have cultural and people-to-people relations. India provides scholarships to Iranian students, and around 40,000 Iranians visit India annually. The Parsi community in India, the world's largest population of Zoroastrians, has contributed significantly to various areas of Indian society, including politics, industry, science, and culture.
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India and Iran have friendly relations in many areas
India and Iran have had close relations for millennia, with both countries sharing several common features in their language, culture, and traditions. The two countries established diplomatic relations on 15 March 1950, and have since signed multiple agreements, including the Tehran Declaration in 2001 and the New Delhi Declaration in 2003.
India and Iran are important trade partners, with India being among Iran's five largest trade partners in recent years. Major Indian exports to Iran include rice, tea, sugar, pharmaceuticals, manmade staple fibres, electrical machinery, and artificial jewellery. Meanwhile, India imports dry fruits, inorganic/organic chemicals, and glassware from Iran. India also imports crude oil from Iran, with imports fluctuating around 250,000 b/d from 2012 to 2013. In 2010, India objected to further American sanctions on Iran, with a foreign policy strategist stating that India would continue to invest in Iran and do business with them.
India and Iran have also collaborated in other areas, such as defence and security. In 2002, the two countries signed a defence cooperation agreement. India has also stepped into a role as a security provider in the Arabian Sea, as it operates a blue-water navy that can deploy ships across the ocean and support them from a distance. This has been particularly valuable for countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which are dependent on trade and the export of oil but lack their naval security.
Additionally, India and Iran have found common ground in Afghanistan. In the 1990s, both countries supported the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan against the Taliban regime. They continue to collaborate in supporting the anti-Taliban government led by Ashraf Ghani. Afghanistan provides an opportunity for both countries to forge a common and effective policy of engagement, especially with Iran maintaining its consulate in Kabul.
Cultural ties between the two countries are also strong, with around 40,000 Iranians visiting India each year. India also provides scholarships to Iranian students and is home to the world's largest population of Zoroastrians, the Parsi community, who have contributed significantly to various fields in India.
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India and Iran have significant trade ties
India and Iran have historically enjoyed close relations, with cultural exchange and trade ties dating back millennia. Despite a degree of political and ideological differences, the two countries continue to maintain significant trade relations, particularly in the energy sector.
Iran is a major supplier of crude oil to India, providing more than 425,000 barrels per day as of 2009. In recent years, India's imports of Iranian oil have fluctuated due to global pressures and sanctions on Iran. However, India remains one of the largest foreign investors in Iran's oil and gas industry. In 2018, bilateral trade between the two countries was valued at $15 billion, with India exporting $2.9 billion worth of goods to Iran and importing $1.02 billion from Iran. By 2023, trade had decreased, with India exporting $1.19 billion and importing $1 billion from Iran. The main products exported from Iran to India include petroleum gas, petroleum coke, and acyclic alcohol derivatives.
In addition to the energy sector, India and Iran have collaborated on infrastructure projects. Notably, the two countries jointly financed the development of the Chabahar port, which will provide India with access to oil and gas resources in Iran and Central Asia. India has committed to investing $20 billion towards the development of this port, which is also expected to facilitate trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia.
Cultural and educational ties also exist between the two countries. Around 40,000 Iranians visit India annually, and a growing number of Iranian students are enrolled at Indian universities. Furthermore, India provides scholarships to Iranian students under various schemes, fostering academic exchange.
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India and Iran have a history of joint military counterterrorism exercises
India and Iran have a long history of close relations, with ancient ties between the two regions dating back millennia. Despite a natural geopolitical rivalry, the two nations have maintained friendly relations in several areas, including trade, education, and infrastructure development. Notably, India and Iran have also engaged in joint military counterterrorism exercises, reflecting their shared interest in regional security and stability.
In recent years, India has assumed an increasingly significant role in providing security in the Arabian Sea and the broader Indian Ocean region. With one of the few blue-water navies in the world, India is capable of deploying ships across the ocean and supporting them far from their bases. This capability allows India to serve as a critical security provider for wealthy Arab Gulf states, such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, that depend on oil exports and trade. India's emphasis on a peaceful and secure Indian Ocean aligns with the interests of countries like Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the United States.
While India has cultivated relations with countries like Israel and the United States, which have strained relationships with Iran, it has also maintained its ties with Iran. India's strategy of multi-alignment enables the country to diversify its alliances while maintaining autonomy in decision-making. As part of this strategy, India has participated in joint military exercises with various partners, including the United States, with a focus on enhancing counterterrorism capabilities.
The annual joint military exercise "Yudh Abhyas" between India and the United States in 2024, for instance, included tactical components such as joint responses to simulated terrorist incidents, collaborative planning, and field exercises replicating real-world counterterrorism scenarios. Similarly, the "Tiger Triumph 2024" exercise emphasized the growing importance of bilateral defense relations between India and the United States, with a particular focus on counterterrorism and maritime security. These exercises contribute to enhancing interoperability, cooperation, and camaraderie between the armed forces of India and its allies.
In summary, India and Iran have a complex relationship shaped by historical ties, geopolitical rivalries, and shared interests in regional security. India's multi-alignment strategy allows it to maintain relations with various partners, including joint military counterterrorism exercises, while navigating the complex dynamics of the region.
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India and Iran have a history of mutual opposition to Pakistani resolutions
India and Iran have historically had close relations, with the two countries sharing geographical proximity and a fusion of medieval Persian culture. However, their relationship has also been marked by periods of tension and rivalry, particularly due to their differing political interests during the Cold War and their competition for influence in Central Asia and the Arabian Sea. Despite this, India and Iran have a history of mutual opposition to Pakistani resolutions, which has impacted their overall diplomatic relations.
During the Soviet-Afghan War, Iran backed the Pakistan-funded Afghan mujahideen, while Pakistan supported Iran during the Iran-Iraq War. However, Pakistan's support for the Taliban in subsequent Afghan civil wars became a significant issue for Iran, which opposed a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. This led to a major breach between the two countries, with Iran moving closer to Pakistan's rival, India.
Iran has frequently objected to Pakistan's attempts to draft anti-India resolutions at international organisations such as the OIC and the Human Rights Commission. India, on its part, has also opposed Pakistani resolutions against Iran. For example, in 2022, India abstained from voting on a resolution at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that criticised Iran for its lack of cooperation on the nuclear issue. This abstention was seen as an instance of India's differences with the US on major international issues.
The geopolitical dynamics between the three countries are complex and fluid. India and Iran's mutual opposition to certain Pakistani resolutions can be understood in the context of their competing interests and influence in the region. India's relationship with Iran is also influenced by its relations with other countries, such as the United States, Israel, and China. India's alignment with Israel and its growing closeness to the US and Saudi Arabia have impacted its relations with Iran.
In recent years, India has stepped into a role as a security provider in the Arabian Sea due to its blue-water navy capabilities. This has made India an invaluable partner for rich Arab Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which depend on trade and oil exports. India's emphasis on a peaceful and secure Indian Ocean has placed it in a position of strategic importance in the region.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, India and Iran have had diplomatic relations since 15 March 1950, when they signed a friendship treaty.
The India-Iran relationship is complex and has been marked by both cooperation and conflict. The two countries have a millennia-long history of interactions and have shared cultural ties. They also have significant trade ties, with Iran being a major supplier of crude oil to India. However, they differ on key foreign policy issues, such as Iran's nuclear program and relations with Pakistan.
US-Iran relations have impacted India's relationship with Iran. In 2010, the US criticised India's use of the Asian Clearing Union for financial transactions with Iran, claiming it violated US law. India ultimately complied with US pressure and ceased these transactions. However, India objected to further American sanctions on Iran in 2010 and has continued to invest in and trade with the country.
The future of India-Iran relations is uncertain. While there have been recent efforts to strengthen bilateral ties, India's growing alignment with Israel and the Gulf Arab states has made it more difficult to maintain the same level of engagement with Iran. Additionally, the two countries' worldviews and foreign policy interests are increasingly divergent.
