Masoud Pezeshkian has emerged victorious in Iran’s presidential election, defeating hardliner Saeed Jalili, promising a shift towards more pragmatic and reformist policies. But how will Mr Pezeshkian’s presidency shape Iran-India relations?
Mr. Pezeshkian, a veteran jurist and heart surgeon, has long championed domestic and international reforms in Iran. His victory is being seen as a call for change as it follows general unhappiness with the hardline policies of his predecessors. But the dynamics of Iranian politics, where hardliners still control a majority and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ultimate authority, will serve to test Mr. Pezeshkian’s ability to fulfill his vision.
Reading | Iran’s reformist Pezeshkian defeats hardline in presidential election
Iran’s Ambassador to India Iraj Elahi said, “Today we are holding the second phase of the presidential election. Iranians are casting their votes at more than 700 polling stations. We hope that by tomorrow morning we will have a new president. There will be no change in Iran’s foreign policy and domestic policy. In both the discussions, emphasis has been laid on strengthening Iranian power internally and externally.”
India–Iran Relations
India and Iran have historically had strong economic ties. These ties are expected to grow even stronger after Pezeshkian becomes president.
The focus will be primarily on the strategic Chabahar port, a project for which India has already invested heavily. It is a key transit point for trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. India has pledged $120 million for the development of the Shahid-Beheshti port terminal and offered a $250 million line of credit for infrastructure projects in Iran. Experts believe Iran’s general foreign policy is unlikely to change, no matter who takes power next; however, the methodology and details may differ.
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Iran is one of the major sources of India’s crude oil. With oil exports expected to increase in the backdrop of sanctions imposed by Western countries on Iran, India may be looking for a reliable and possibly cheaper source of crude oil.
Pezeshkian’s approach to regional security will be closely watched in New Delhi. His stance on maintaining the axis of resistance against Israel and taking strategic regional sides with forces opposed to the “Zionist regime” could impact India’s tough diplomacy in the region.
Another platform for close cooperation between India and Iran is the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multi-modal transport route linking India to Russia via Iran. The corridor enhances connectivity in terms of trade and bilateral relations for regional stability.
iran elections
The presidential election in Iran is taking place against the backdrop of the death of former President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on May 19. The polls saw the lowest turnout since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, as only 39.92 percent of eligible voters participated.
The Iranian government had predicted, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had forecast, a high turnout. State television showed minor queues at polling stations, while online videos showed empty polling stations and light traffic in some places in the capital Tehran, where there was reportedly heavy security.
The elections were held amid regional tensions. In April, for example, Iran launched its first direct attack on Israel amid its escalation of its offensive in Gaza. This was followed by a surge in attacks by militant groups including Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis, both of whom are armed by Tehran.
Though Ayatollah Khamenei has the final say in matters of the state, it remains to be seen whether the Middle Eastern country makes any changes to its foreign policy in the wake of recent events.
