Amid ongoing tensions in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea, India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s visit to Iran has drawn attention.[i] This visit comes at a time of heightened global concerns about Houthi militants targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict.
During his high-level talks in Iran, Jaishankar discussed a number of bilateral and regional issues, including the current security related situation in the Red Sea. It is worth noting that, recently the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom had recently launched airstrikes targeting Houthi positions in Yemen. Also, during this period, the Indian navy increased its surveillance and patrol activities to ensure security of the critical sea routes. [ii]
During bilateral talks, the issue of improving regional connectivity through Chabahar Port was also discussed. Because India has long wanted to complete the Chabahar Port project in order to increase regional trade, especially due to its connection with Afghanistan. This port is also seen as an important hub for the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) project, a 7,200 km long multi-modal transportation project to transport cargo between India, Iran, Afghanistan, Armenia and Azerbaijan. India, which wants this project to continue, is also caught in the middle of tension between the USA and Iran.
Following the increasing security threats in the Red Sea, the United States has invited India to join the multinational naval coalition in these waters. [iii] This coalition, under the control of the British Navy, aims to ensure maritime security and protect global shipping routes increasingly targeted by Houthi attacks. India takes care to regularly participate in exercises and missions to protect freedom of navigation, especially in the near seas. Nevertheless, joining the international maritime coalition in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea could mean a new geopolitical choice in India’s foreign policy. Because these coalition countries are actors generally considered close to the Western World. India, on the other hand, does not position itself within the Western axis. However, the USA is putting pressure on India in this direction.
India is stepping up its dialogue with Iran to alleviate the Houthi-U.S. conflict in the Red Sea. The U.S. may be attempting to engage with Iran through India and to restrain it. Jaishankar visited Iran to prepare a plan to ease regional concerns. The fact that two BRICS members are addressing the recent tensions in the Red Sea and the conflict in Gaza is significant. India is concerned not only about the escalation in Gaza but also about the Houthi attacks on ships near Indian shores. [iv] Indeed, the Houthis have targeted Indian-flagged ships as well. The US holds Iran responsible for these attacks.
We can talk about a few scenarios here. First, Iran is disturbed by India’s recent efforts to get closer to the West. The USA’s invitation to India to join the international coalition in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Oman Sea and Indian Ocean is to the detriment of Iran. Even if New Delhi does not directly accept this offer, it has announced that it will increase its inspection and surveillance activities in the region. The fact that Iran and the Houthis also target India in this process is an important message. Currently, Iran has not been able to achieve the desired cooperation momentum with India in both the INSTC and the Chabahar Port Project. The delayed and slow progress of these projects disturbs India and directs it to search for alternative corridors. In this regard, India’s IMEC Project, which extends to Europe and passes through Israel, is also noteworthy. Under normal circumstances, Iran would prefer both India and China to connect to the West through itself. New Delhi’s turning to alternative corridors is something Iran does not want.
Secondly, India is seeking to redefine its foreign policy and find a new geopolitical axis. Recent moves, such as strengthening its relations with Russia, competing with China, and enhancing defense and security cooperation with the U.S., indicate that India is in search of a new direction in its foreign policy. On one hand, India aims to maintain good relations with Russia, while on the other hand, it is taking steps to limit China’s influence. Additionally, India is eager to develop closer cooperation with the U.S. and Europe, and has recently decided to accelerate its engagement with Iran.
As mentioned above, India has neglected its bilateral relations with Iran for a long time and the problems have gradually grown. First of all, factors such as China and the Belt-Road Initiative create a significant trust problem in Iran-India relations. In addition, Iran and India have still not achieved the desired success in transportation corridors (INSTC and Chabahar Port Project). Added to this are the Taliban problem in Afghanistan, Israel-India cooperation and the IMEC Project, and most recently the war in Gaza and the crisis in the Red Sea. As these problems piled up, India took action to get its relations with Iran back on track. However, it can be said that India was quite late in this diplomacy. Iran’s geopolitical preferences are becoming clear. The biggest chance here seems to be the BRICS platform. India and Iran can push these problems/regional disputes to the background and show a new example of cooperation and solidarity within BRICS.
[i] “EAM Jaishankar Likely To Travel To Iran On January 15 Amid War in Middle East”, The Hindu, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/eam-jaishankar-likely-to-travel-to-iran-on-january-15-amid-war-in-middle-east/article67737069.ece, (Accessed: August 23, 2024).
[ii] “India Vows ‘Strict Action’ For Attacks On Indian-Crewed Vessels”, Iran Int., https://www.iranintl.com/en/202312285370, (Accessed: August 23, 2024).
[iii] “US Invites India to Join Naval Coalition in Red Sea”, Livemint, https://www.livemint.com/news/world/us-invites-india-to-join-naval-coalition-in-red-sea-11704356854836.html, (Accessed: August 23, 2024).
[iv] “Jaishankar bound for Iran; Gaza, Houthi attacks on agenda”, Hindustan Times, https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/jaishankar-bound-for-iran-gaza-and-houthi-attacks-on-agenda-101705037455396.html, (Accessed: August 23, 2024).
