Lol, i am not trolling.
I would like Iran to be loyal to Pakistan as 100% Pakistani shia and many Sunnis are loyal to Iran. But Iran is anti Pakistan.
Shaheen Missile ji, what has religion got to do with this?
It is a delay in a commercial venture.
During which years.. British Raj or Delhi Sultanate? It has always been hostile except for a brief period during early Mughal era.
Under the numerous beautiful empires and kingdoms collectively as a civilisation that has dotted our country and region. It also includes you guys (of those times).
Trade relations between the Original Big 5 were a defining feature of this part of the world: Ancient Egypt, Fars, Greece, Bharatvarsha (collective region), Chinese civilisation. And of course, between other ancient civilisations like Incas, Aztecs etc on the other side of the world too.
Tread carefully. No one can afford to piss off the US for Iran, not even China.
I am more concerned about Trump as the POTUS vis a vis international foreign policy than the entire US administration.
He has caught his own administration unaware and has been firing off salvos against his own allies: Japan, Korea, NATO, UK, Australia, Mexico and Canada for starters.
Some call it being dynamic but most others call it unpredictable and volatile.
PM Modi has put in a lot of effort in the last two years, to secure strategic commercial deals and a level of mature understanding with the US, to see one man newly into the political world, ruin it all (it is not just Obama factor).
A few weeks of delay does nothing to our ties with Iran, who is already our largest oil supplier.
India should show middle finger to Trump.
Not really.
Because of this:
"Since some Air India planes are financed through a loan from Exim Bank of the US, the latter's approval would be required before operating flights to Iran. In case there are sanctions, clearance would be a difficult proposition."
The aircraft lessors are US-based.
If it were our own aircraft, we wouldn't give a rat's rear.
AI Express uses leased aircraft from international leasing bodies who further finance their own acquisitions through third party bodies such as the EXIM Bank of US.
That further complicates the matter.
To have Iran - due to their geostrategic location - join the China-Pakistan camp would be a game changer for us. We can wrest complete control of Central Asia from outsiders.
But how to do that.. I don't know. I like your idea though.. continue to stay friendly (and cautious) until they come to senses.
If modern history is any proof, Iranians are not exactly the bandwagon jumpers they were under their monarchy. Even the pre-Pahlavi era was balanced, realistic in their foreign policy and largely neutral. Creating their own strategic leverage only makes it easier for them to maneuver through complex geo-political situations.
Pakistan is better off keeping it that way as well.