Iran must respect plurality of Indian society

Story by  Tripti Nath | Posted by  Tripti Nath • 1 Years ago
Former Deputy NSA, Ambassador Pankaj Saran airing his views on Iran on ATV
Former Deputy NSA, Ambassador Pankaj Saran airing his views on Iran on ATV

 

Tripti Nath/ New Delhi

India’s former Deputy National Security Advisor, Pankaj Saran is confident about India developing a wholesome relationship with Iran provided the latter maintains distance from any religious discussion or interference in India’s internal matters.

“We do not want a situation where Iran can impose its religious framework on India. We also are very sensitive to what Iran says on issues of core interest to us such as Kashmir or international terrorism. These are the factors at play when we discuss Iran’’, Ambassador Saran cautioned while replying to a question on his fortnightly show ‘ Around the world with Ambassador Pankaj Saran’ on Awaz-The Voice.

In a free and frank 30- minute discussion, the top diplomat recalled a period when Iran was issuing statements on developments in India whether on Kashmir or any other aspect of our domestic life which we objected to and that position continues.

“We have a certain social and political structure which is based on respect for religions and beliefs of everyone. In the past, the relationship has suffered from largely external shocks. Iran’s relationships with third countries or our relationships with third countries has impacted on our relationship. In this scenario, we must keep our focus on building the relationship,’’ Saran said.

He said that India must be mindful about its large Shia population. “They are part and parcel of Indian society. The most important thing is that Shias are first and foremost Indian citizens. The fact that they are Shia or not Shia is a secondary aspect and we cannot have a situation where any country including Iran tries to influence their behavior towards the Indian State, the Indian Constitution etc.’’

Saran added that while cultural interactions between the Shia community of Iran with the Shia community here are very welcome but they should not be allowed to cross a line which makes India uncomfortable in dealing with Iran as one of the biggest Shia countries in the world.

He acknowledged that prominent Shias living in India have made significant contribution to our architecture, our poetry and our literature. “ Mirza Ghalib was a liberal Shia.’’

Saran said that India and Iran are in phase of revival of the relationship. Tracing the history of India Iran ties, Saran said that the relationship has withstood various shocks but both countries have kept the relationship going in a generally positive direction. “Till very recently, we shared a border with Iran. How we behave with Iran and how Iran behaves with us is also an important factor in the relationship.’’

He said that India Iran ties were disrupted for many years after the Islamic Revolution in 1979 but our exchanges resumed after a few years at the leadership level.

Replying to a question on the police crackdown in Iran on anti Hijab protestors following the demise of Mahsa Amini, a 22 year- old student, he said, “ This is one of the biggest challenges that the Islamic government of Iran has faced since 1979 because this is a voice of its own women who do Iranian do not fear any more of coming out on to the street. It shows that something has snapped in the social contract in Iran. The Supreme leader and the religious Council are under pressure and slogans are being raised against the Supreme leader Ayatollah Khomeini.

Saran observed that there is a political character to the anti-Hijab protests in Iran. It is not just the question of freedom of expression or the freedom of wearing what you want.  “Women in Iran are getting support from across the world and this is going viral on social media.  Mahsa Amini has become the symbol of this movement. The rest of the Islamic world is watching the movement very closely and this will impact the internal political structure of Iran and the heavy-handedness of the authorities.’’

Quoting the progressive judgment of the Karnataka High Court which said that wearing the Hijab is not an obligatory function of Islam and that wearing Hijab should be left to an individual’s choice.

He mentioned that Iranian students are studying in India. “We have deep cultural ties. The entire Parsi community migrated from Iran to India. Persian language is taught in many Indian universities.’’

Talking of Iran’s equation with Pakistan and Taliban, Saran explained that Iran is one of the biggest Shia countries in the world and has always been opposed to the terrorism being practiced by Sunni groups. “Iranians have never been comfortable with the Pashtun dominated Taliban. Iran is also very concerned with the discrimination of Shias in Pakistan.’’

He pointed out that Iran has not always given automatic support to Pakistan in its anti-India hysteria and campaign. Pakistan as an economic partner of Iran is also not a very good option. He said thatIran and Pakistan are competing with each other for port infrastructure in Gwadar and Chabahar

Replying to a question on oil imports from Iran, Saran said that Iran constitutes less than one per cent of India’s oil imports because of the U.S. sanctions. “Today, Iraq has actually become the single largest exporter of oil to India. There is a sea change in the energy dynamics between India and Iran. The whole model of energy cooperation will rest on the kind of prices that are determined for the gas, the duration of the contract period and other commercial terms and conditions.’’

The seasoned diplomat said that Iran must resolve its issues with U.S. and Europe to enable India resume normal trade with Iran. We hope that Iran can come to a settlement with U.S. and Europe on the nuclear issue.

To a question on resetting of India Iran ties, Saran said that it was significant that the new President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, met recently in Samarkand.

He said that Iran has a population of 86 million and it has a very strategic location. Iran is a key gateway for India for our openings to Central Asia and Russia and it works both ways.If we use the International North South Transport Corridor, the travel time for trade between India and Europe gets halved.’’

Asked why India should work hard on its ties with Iran when it is at loggerheads with India’s friends like Israel and Saudi Arabia, the former Deputy NSA said that Saran said that India has no choice but to deal with all the pillars of that region. India has very good relations with Israel and excellent relations with Saudi Arabia and U.A.E. India also needs Iran because we also have interests in Afghanistan.

He said that India also needs Iran to deal with the problem of terrorism and jointly fight against ISIS, Al Qaeda and all other terrorist organizations which impact our internal stability and security. He reiterated that India must remain engaged with Iran but subject to Iran not crossing the red lines, respecting India’s constitutional provisions about the diversity and plurality of Indian society.

On the trade ties between India and Iran, Saran said that Iran is definitely part of India’s extended neighborhood. He expressed optimism over diversification in ties and growth in trade. “ We need the right arrangements for settlement of trade in terms of payment. Iran has become a member of Shanghai Cooperation Organization but we also have to see how Iran behaves in its relationships with China or Pakistan.’’

Concluding the discussion on a positive note, Saran said that there is a prospect of moving forward in many areas with Iran, a major player in the Islamic world.