By Harsh V. Pant
As the United States and Iran head toward a broader rapprochement, what does India stand to gain?
Last week, P5+1 and Iranian diplomats in Lausanne, Switzerland, announced that they had reached a framework for a nuclear deal. The negotiations will now continue to work on technical issues as diplomats work toward a deadline for a comprehensive agreement at the end of June. The announced framework would permit Iran a limited nuclear enrichment capacity, but would subject its civil nuclear program to a strict and intrusive inspection regime. Iran, in exchange, would receive gradual relief from nuclear sanctions as it demonstrates compliance. Though the operationalization of the framework would not be easy, as a first cut the framework is fairly comprehensive with most important parameters duly accounted for.
The stakes are high for the West as benefits of a possible rapprochement with Iran potentially include the cessation of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the opening of Iran’s vast domestic market to western trade and investment, the emergence of Iran as an alternative to Russia as a major oil and gas supplier to Europe, more effective solutions to dealing with regional problems such as Islamic State terrorism and the Syrian civil war, and an end to Iran’s deeply damaging 35-year political, cultural and human isolation. The Obama administration sees the Iranian government as a tactical partner in the Middle East though this remains controversial, given that U.S. allies — including Israel and Arab states helping tackle the Islamic State, like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — feel threatened by Iran.
Iran has long been a litmus test that India has had to pass to satisfy American policy makers. New Delhi’s bond with Tehran has been termed variously by analysts as an “axis,” a “strategic partnership” and even an “alliance.” This level of scrutiny has always been disproportionate to the reality of the relationship. When in the past India had to choose between Iran and the United States, it always sided with the latter. As the US itself now gravitates towards Iran, new diplomatic possibilities open up for India.
Read the full story at The Diplomat
Related Story: How an Iran Nuclear Deal Would Benefit India