Walking on a delicate line between Iran and the United States : India's competing set of interests regarding Iran's nuclear program and sanctions

Abstract

India and Iran have had a centuries-long history of close relations. However, in the last decade New Delhi has been looking to develop its relations with Tehran for two main reasons. First, India’s high energy demand to keep the pace of its economic growth, for which Iran could be a reliable supplier; and second, New Delhi’s desire to have Tehran on its side as a strategic partner in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Persian Gulf and further in Central Asia. Despite its vote against Tehran at the IAEA and implementing US sanction on Iran, New Delhi has repeatedly declared its opposition to sanctions and encouraged diplomacy instead. India’s vote was not expected in Tehran and considered as India’s need to build confidence with the United States to secure Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement. Furthermore, Washington’s support is necessary for having a permanent seat at the UN Security Council, which could facilitate New Delhi’s ambition to be a great power. This wandering position on Iran's nuclear program is an outcome of India's geopolitical, strategic and national security calculus and the dilemma with Iran and the United States, which is likely to persist for years to come. India’s divergent interests have made diplomacy and international relations complicated for New Delhi to balance its interests between Iran and the United States. This thesis addresses different perspectives which display India’s interdependence with regard to the United States and Iran, and why India chose not to openly pick a side between Tehran and Washington.