The National Interest Senior Editor Nikolas Gvosdev explains why India is reluctant to join the United States’ push for further sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
As Gvosdev makes clear, India simply has too many areas in which it needs Iranian cooperation – including preparing for an American exit from Afghanistan – to support the United States’ provocative posture toward the Islamic Republic.
From Gvosdev’s piece:
India’s foreign-policy establishment has a different set of calculations when considering Iran. Washington still sees Tehran largely through the lens of its activities westward from the Persian Gulf: a threat to Gulf security, a supporter of anti-American movements in Iraq and Lebanon, a spoiler in the Arab-Israeli peace process. New Delhi views Iran as a critical regional partner, and with growing concerns about the future of Afghanistan, an essential component to preserve India’s influence in Central Asia. Former–Foreign Secretary Lilit Mansingh was quite blunt in his appraisal last week: “Unless India prepares for the time when the Americans pull out [of Afghanistan], we will not be in a position to face the political crisis that it will trigger.” His solution: revive the India-Russia-Iran “axis” which supported the Northern Alliance during the 1990s, to ensure against the revival of the Taliban. If that is the case, then India is not likely to be putting coercive pressure on Tehran anytime soon.
You can read the full article here.
– Ben Katcher
I was amazed to hear Hillary Clinton rebuke the Russians for trying to complete their contract with Iran for construction of the nuclear power plant at Bushehr. Stunning arrogance and stupidity.
India correctly sees Iran’s help as essential in achieving stability in Afghanistan, and keeping the Taleban from returning to power in Kabul. Foolish US foreign policy obsesses with Iranian support of Hezbollah and Hamas, and ignores entirely the Iranian effort to keep the Taleban from retaking power in Kabul.
Alan,
I just read an article stating that Iran’s 20% uranium is being sent from Natanz to Esfahan for processing into fuel rods (though you mentioned the TRR uses “fuel plates”). I’d read elsewhere that Iran lacked this capability. If so, it’s not in a position to force the West’s hand on this 20% fuel swap matter.
Do you know? Also, where did Iran get the 20% fuel plates being used by the TRR now?
Eric
P.S. Ahmadinejad mentioned that 800,000 patients will be affected if the TRR cannot produce medical isotopes because it runs out of 20% fuel (early next year, if not replenished).