Table of Contents
The News
- Recently, Iran’s Defence Minister, Brigadier General Amir Hatami, became the first defence minister of Iran to visit India in 40 years, opening a new and significant avenue of cooperation between Tehran and New Delhi.
- Hatami’s visit was on the sidelines of the AeroIndia 2021 event in Bengaluru to take part in the first conclave for the defence ministers of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
Interesting timing
- The Iranian defence minister’s visit comes at an interesting time for three reasons
Interesting timing
- India-Iran ties have arguably been moving at a snail’s pace, both from an economic and strategic points of view.
Key Observation
- Kabir Taneja
- Iran may soon become an important point of contact diplomatically in the near future, and the reason behind this will not be energy security for India or the geopolitical wrangling in West Asia, but an increasingly challenging situation in Afghanistan.
But Why?
- Taliban recently visited Tehran to hold consultations with the Iranian establishment, spending four days in the country to shore up support for their space in the intra-Afghan dialogue.
But Why?
- Both Iran and the Taliban share a striking common goal in Afghanistan
- An immediate exit of US forces from the country and the region.
- However, Taliban-Pakistan closeness will make its tough for Tehran to manage the neighbourhood dynamic.
But Why?
- Tehran has used Afghanistan as a resource pitstop.
- Tehran has been criticised for using hundreds of Afghan Shia refugees joining the Iran-backed Fitimiyoun Brigade to fight in Syria.
Be ready India..!!
- India needs to understand these regional fissures and work with them, if US President Joe Biden’s administration commits to a full US military withdrawal by May 2021.
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