Raagini Sharma
(RIEAS Senior Analyst)
Copyright: @ 2021 Research Institute for European and American Studies (www.rieas.gr) Publication date: 23 May 2021
Note: The article reflects the opinion of the author and not necessarily the views of the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS)
Introduction
By forging close trade, security, and defence cooperation relations with the majority of Middle Eastern countries, India's foreign policy has shifted from "Link West" to "Act West", resulting in action-oriented policy from mere linkage policy. Historically, over the centuries, India and Iran have had considerable shared cultural history. However, in the last few decades, the Indo-Iran relationship has witnessed several ups and downs. The relationship waned due to India's proximity to the erstwhile USSR and Iran's to the USA in the cold war era, Iran's support to Pakistan against India and India's support to Iraq in the Iran-Iraq war. However, post-Iran's 1979 revolution, the relationship strengthened because of the common stance adopted by both the nations in Afghanistan supporting the Northern Alliance and the anti-Taliban government of Ashraf Ghani. ... Read more