Iran and India: Ancient Civilisations and New Horizons

Context

Recent high-level exchanges between India and Iran underscore the evolving civilisational ties and strategic partnership amidst regional geopolitical changes.

India-Iran Relations

Civilisational Ties

• India and Iran are both ancient civilisations with shared cultural, linguistic and religious exchanges since ancient times.
• Persian influence is evident in Indian architecture, languages ​​(Urdu, Hindi) and court traditions.
• Sufi and Shia ties have further strengthened cultural affinity.

Strategic and Economic Dimensions

• Chabahar Port: India’s gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.
• It is linked to the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
• Energy cooperation: Iran was a major crude oil supplier to India before US sanctions (2019).
  • Talks are underway to resume imports amid India’s energy diversification needs.

Regional security

• Cooperation in stabilising Afghanistan
• Combatting extremism and terrorism in the region

Geopolitical balance

• India maintains a balance in its relations with the US, Gulf countries and Iran.
• Iran’s growing ties with China (25-year strategic agreement) add complexity for India.

Challenges

• US sanctions restrict trade and investment
• Banking and insurance barriers
• Uncertainty in Iran’s domestic politics and regional role

Importance to India

• Iran strengthens Act West policy as a complement to Act East.
• It enhances India’s connectivity with Eurasia.
• Diversifies energy and strategic partnerships beyond the Gulf monarchies.

New Horizons for India-Iran Relations

Today, countries of the Global South refuse to be subjected to domination and discrimination. They have embarked on a new path by relying on local models, developing indigenous science and technology, and strengthening their defence and security. Ancient civilisations have a unique role to play in this historic transformation.

Cultural Influence

• As two of the world’s oldest and richest civilisations, Iran and India have shaped global culture for centuries.
• Both civilisations eschewed war, valued peace and fought only to defend against aggression.
• Even when defeated militarily, they reshaped the conquerors through their cultural influence, imparting to them their knowledge of statecraft, literature, philosophy, art and architecture.
• Iran’s civilisational values ​​continued in a new form after the advent of Islam, while India prospered more under Islamic influence.
• India defended the rights of the Global South through its anti-colonial struggle and leadership of the Non-Aligned Movement.
• Iran resisted Western domination by nationalising its oil industry and through the Islamic Revolution.
• Together, both nations embrace values ​​such as peace, spirituality and respect for nature that are urgently needed today.
  • These values ​​can guide humanity in confronting structural violence, environmental crises and social degradation.

South-South Cooperation

By strengthening South-South cooperation, playing an active role in forums such as BRICS, upholding humanitarian and ethical principles and pursuing transformative projects such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), India and Iran can together lay the foundation for a just and humane order.