چکیده:
Most of the discourses on India–Iran relations are either focused on cultural and civilization links with Iran, or its relevance as an energy-rich nation. Its transit potential in providing India with access to Central Asia has not received adequate attention. While there is a general acceptance that Iran provides India with access to Central Asia, what is little known and thus not analysed is the question: to what extent has India been able to realise Iran's transit potential and what are the major bilateral, regional and international challenges faced by both of these countries for realising that potential? The hypothesis is; Due to its growing economy and the increasing need for energy and access to energy sources and markets in central Asia and Afghanistan, India competes with China and Pakistan on the International North-South transport corridor, which is way more reliable and less costly.Now given its potential and special position, Iran is India’s gateway to reach its goals in Eurasia and Afghanistan. The article argues that despite Iran's geostrategic location as well as regional complexities, the Iran–US standoff, security challenges and lack of adequate economic resources, constrain India's efforts to maximise the potential offered by the INSTC land, sea and rail routes connecting India to the Eurasian region through Iran. A new thrust by all regional partners supported by international agencies to revive old links and build new INSTC corridors therefore becomes necessary.
خلاصه ماشینی:
The hypothesis is; Due to its growing economy and the increasing need for energy and access to energy sources and markets in central Asia and Afghanistan, India competes with China and Pakistan on the International North-South transport corridor, which is way more reliable and less costly.
The International North-South transport corridor through Iran helps India to reach central Asia, the Caucasus and Afghanistan.
The establishment of the INSTC and the participation in the construction of the Chabahar port in Iran have been part of an Indian strategy to connect central Asia while bypassing Pakistan.
Chabahar port will boost India’s access to Iran, the key gateway to the International North-South Transport Corridor that provides sea, rail and road routes between India, Russia, Iran, Europe and Central Asia.
The Foreign Policy of India, 2015--‐2020, has highlighted the importance of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) in expanding India’s trade and strategic links with Central Asia.
As Pakistan has refused to provide land transit to India, the development of a port in Iran can serve as an alternative route to land-locked Afghanistan and Central Asia.
India is also currently negotiating a transit agreement with Iran according to which Indian goods meant for Central Asia and Afghanistan could get preferential treatment and tariff reductions at Chabahar.
For India, Iran continues to remain important for various reasons: energy security, for countering Pakistani Taliban in Afghanistan, for access to trade and transport connectivity with Central Asia and Afghanistan and, to some extent, for managing the domestic political dynamics.