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India Iran and the US

EjazR

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India’s sound advice on Iran

THIS WEEK in New Delhi, President Obama went further than any of his predecessors toward embracing India as an ally, and most Indians are thrilled by this warm treatment. This does not mean, however, that the two countries will align all of their foreign policies. In some areas, India would like the United States to change its approach.

One key difference is over Iran. India has the wiser policy, and Obama should consider emulating it.

Despite some changes in atmospherics, Obama’s approach to Iran has been remarkably similar to the one President George W. Bush took in his second term: don’t bomb Iran, but continue to threaten that “all options are on the table’’; steadily intensify economic sanctions, despite ample evidence that they weaken civil society and lavishly enrich the repressive Revolutionary Guard; insist on negotiations on the nuclear issue, but refuse to broaden the agenda to include issues that concern Iran.

India, like many other regional powers, takes the Iranian threat far less seriously than the United States does. It does not see Iran as an existential threat to anyone, but rather as just another thuggish country with resources, and wants to see it enticed back into the world’s mainstream. India would like the United States to adopt a more accommodating policy toward Iran — and could even serve as the bridge that makes it possible.

One of Iran’s other neighbors, Turkey, has already tried this approach. Turkish leaders have urged the United States to ratchet down its anti-Iran rhetoric, seek compromise instead of confrontation, and work to address Iran’s concerns in an effort to draw it out of its isolation. The Obama administration has rejected this advice. Now it’s India’s turn to try.

There is a natural impulse to consider these countries as parts of different regions; Iran is mired in the strife-torn Middle East, while India dominates South Asia. This is a mistake. In fact, Iran and India were neighbors for millennia as they developed two of the world’s richest cultures. The emergence of Pakistan in 1947 meant that India and Iran are no longer actual neighbors, but their shared history is so great that they feel as close as if they were still next door.

India imports oil and gas from Iran and is exploring the possibility of building a natural gas pipeline connecting the two countries — a project the United States opposes. Indian companies are negotiating for multi-billion-dollar oil exploration contracts in Iranian waters. In February, Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao made a two-day trip to Tehran. A month later, in Washington, she said her government opposes sanctions on Iran that “cause difficulties to the ordinary man, woman, and child [and] would not be conducive to a resolution of this question.”

While the intensifying confrontation between the United States and Iran disturbs India, an easing of tension would help stabilize both the Middle East and South Asia. It would certainly set off alarm bells, especially in Israel, where the idea of improved ties between Iran and the United States triggers instinctive panic. But Iran has so much to offer the United States strategically, beginning with its ability to help stabilize Iraq and Afghanistan, that reconciliation makes good sense. Some in India want their country to press Washington to change its mind on this crucial question.

The United States now has two good friends, Turkey and India, that sit near Iran and want better US-Iran ties. Turkey has been unable to persuade the Obama administration that a change in Iran policy makes sense. Now that Obama has described ties between India and the United States as “the defining partnership of the 21st century,” maybe he will be more willing to heed India’s advice.
 
The only reason that the USA is putting so much pressure on Iran is because of Israel. It is stupid for any country, including India and Turkey, to view USA relations to Iran in any other light than the protection of Israel. So, if Turkey or India want a different policy of the USA vs. Iran, they need to help the USA with the protection of Israel.
 
Israel is the only state that has nuclear weapons in that region. There is no existential threat to Israel there.

What would be a smart thing for Israel to do is to come on table with the Arab peace plan and make their peace with the Arabs on the agreed upong two state solution. This way, Israel would no longer need US assurances on security.
 
Israel never threat anybody with it's nuclear weapons........iran did.

that's the difference..
 
Israel is the only state that has nuclear weapons in that region. There is no existential threat to Israel there.

What would be a smart thing for Israel to do is to come on table with the Arab peace plan and make their peace with the Arabs on the agreed upong two state solution. This way, Israel would no longer need US assurances on security.

Israel is rightfully worried about facing terrorism from Iranian proxies after Iran goes nuclear. Israel doesn't want to be in the same situation vis-a-vis Iran as India is now vis-a-vis Pakistan.

What can India and Turkey do to alleviate this concern? Secondly, would the US be willing to stop arming Pakistan?

If these questions can be answered, many pieces in the jigsaw will fall into place.
 
The only reason that the USA is putting so much pressure on Iran is because of Israel. It is stupid for any country, including India and Turkey, to view USA relations to Iran in any other light than the protection of Israel. So, if Turkey or India want a different policy of the USA vs. Iran, they need to help the USA with the protection of Israel.

We are a friend of Israel as well as Palatine and we are ready to help whatever we can.

But for it Israel and USA have to understand that its not in their interest to stretch this matter out of limit.

Israel and USA have become villain in the eyes of many so it will be good if they solve their problem.

And don't poke their nose with Iran, it will make them villain in front of Muslims of the world, help china as Iran will have no other option but to go with it and harm US interest in the middle east.
 
India may warned US, Iran is not Iraq they are the most fanatic people in the world and they would do anything to defend themselves. I wish US listens to us.
 
India may warned US, Iran is not Iraq they are the most fanatic people in the world and they would do anything to defend themselves. I wish US listens to us.

On the contrary i found most Iranians i have come across as gentle and well educated.Instead of fanatic i would choose the word "resilient". Even after so many sanctions they are doing pretty well.

And do remember, iran has the largest naturals gas reserves. Energy needs can mould relationships pretty fast.:azn:
 
Israel is rightfully worried about facing terrorism from Iranian proxies after Iran goes nuclear. Israel doesn't want to be in the same situation vis-a-vis Iran as India is now vis-a-vis Pakistan.

What can India and Turkey do to alleviate this concern? Secondly, would the US be willing to stop arming Pakistan?

If these questions can be answered, many pieces in the jigsaw will fall into place.

Again, Israel does not have an EXISTENTIAL threat as it is the only country that has nuclear weapons.

India Turkey can't do much except mediate with respect to Israel finally implementing the two state solution. This is in Israel's interest and it should try to follow up on the Saudi led Arab peace plan to establish peaceful co-existence with its neighbors.

The point is US has a long history of interference in Iran as well beginning with the 1953 CIA baked coup of removing one of the first democratically elected head of states in the Middle East and infact possibly the Muslim world.

Turkey and India can help US to mend ties and that is what the point of the article was. Neither Iran, nor Turkey or India have accepted that Iran should get nuclear weapons. Helping alleviate this concern can be done only if US follows a less combative policy.
 
Again, Israel does not have an EXISTENTIAL threat as it is the only country that has nuclear weapons.

Which may change if Iran develops nuclear weapons. Iranian nukes would not make much difference to India, but we have to see what we can do to make the US part of the solution, instead of being part of the problem.

India Turkey can't do much except mediate with respect to Israel finally implementing the two state solution. This is in Israel's interest and it should try to follow up on the Saudi led Arab peace plan to establish peaceful co-existence with its neighbors.

True. Israel needs to make the Palestinians a fair and generous offer for things to move forward. And there will have to be long-term guarantees that the Palestinians will not harm Israel's security.

The point is US has a long history of interference in Iran as well beginning with the 1953 CIA baked coup of removing one of the first democratically elected head of states in the Middle East and infact possibly the Muslim world.

True, overthrowing Mossadegh was the original sin.
 
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Israel never threat anybody with it's nuclear weapons........iran did.

that's the difference..

bahahhahaa

lucky my man, slap yourself as hard as you can for me.

Some Indians can't control themselves from sucking up to the white man.
 
India may warned US, Iran is not Iraq they are the most fanatic people in the world and they would do anything to defend themselves. I wish US listens to us.

fanatical?
just because we have a back bone and don't bend over for the first army that rolls into town we are fanatical?
lol

Our "fanaticism" is the reason we are speaking Persian while Iraqis, Egyptians, Lebanese etc... are all speaking Arabic.
Our "fanaticism" is the reason why we are independent from the Yankees and why we are moving forward today.
 
fanatical?
just because we have a back bone and don't bend over for the first army that rolls into town we are fanatical?
lol

Our "fanaticism" is the reason we are speaking Persian while Iraqis, Egyptians, Lebanese etc... are all speaking Arabic.
Our "fanaticism" is the reason why we are independent from the Yankees and why we are moving forward today.

Don't judge everybody in our country from one or two posters my friend. Indians have always had good feelings for Iran and Iranians. It is another matter that in recent times our country has taken certain steps which are against Iran but we have never tried to hurt u outright. This is obviously ur "sucking up to the White man" no doubt.

However India has never accepted for outright sanctions on Iran and never will. If the recent surge in bilateral efforts are to be considered there is a renewed vigour in our relationship. I hope this only grows further in future.
 
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