PM Modi should warn Tehran over its irresponsible behaviour: US group

[Paranoid Android]

New York: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Iran, an advocacy group in the US has said he should focus his efforts on pressuring Tehran to halt its "destabilizing and provocative" behaviour.

It also claimed that Iran should not be rewarded with lucrative business opportunities as there are "numeorous risks" for Indian companies in doing business there.

The United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), one of the most influential anti-Iran advocacy groups in the US, said Iran's "irresponsible and belligerent" behavior is in complete contrast to Modi's "powerful and timely determination" to tackle terrorism and corruption.

Modi has a "special opportunity to focus his efforts on pressuring Iran to halt its destabilizing and provocative behavior, rather than prematurely rewarding the regime with lucrative business opportunities," UANI Chairman Senator Joseph Lieberman and UANI CEO Ambassador Mark Wallace said in a statement released ahead of Modi's visit to Iran on 22-23 May.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. AP

Modi's strategically important visit, at the invitation of the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, comes as India looks at stepping up engagement with the sanctions-free energy-rich nation. Modi will also meet Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the visit.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said in New Delhi that the visit will provide thrust to expanding bilateral cooperation in the wake of lifting of sanctions against Iran earlier this year.

"The visit of Prime Minister to Iran will seek to build on these commonalities by focussing on specific cooperation in regional connectivity and infrastructure, developing energy partnership, boosting bilateral trade, facilitating people-to-people interaction in various spheres and promoting peace and stability in the region," the MEA statement said.

"For these reasons, India's formidable economic and diplomatic power should not be used to further embolden and enable Tehran," it added.

The influential group warned that the "risks" of doing business with the Iranian regime are "simply too great and too numerous" for Indian companies and the larger global business community.

"World leaders cannot declare they are fighting terrorism and corruption around the world, while at the same time doing business with Tehran," it said.

Citing the tough stand taken by Modi against terrorism and corruption, UANI said his call to the international community to tackle terrorism together is "particularly relevant" to Iran, which the group described as the "world's leading state sponsor of terrorism".

"The Ayatollah and his regime continue to openly support Hezbollah and Hamas, and even recently welcomed a delegation from the terrorist organization Islamic Jihad," it added.

The group also pointed out the Iran fares poorly on global indexes on corruption and in this context Modi "should be mindful" of his statements about fighting terrorism and corruption.

UANI, an independent, not-for-profit, group, was founded in 2008 by Wallace, former US Ambassador to the UN Richard Holbrooke and former CIA Director Jim Woolsey.

http://www.firstpost.com/world/pm-m...up-2792354.html?utm_source=FP_CAT_LATEST_NEWS

 

[Skull and Bones]

Baniya logic 101: Don't borrow someone else's issues, concentrate on your own agendas.

 

[Echo_419]

Why don't they **** off?

 

[Kal Muah]

Baniya logic 101: Don't borrow someone else's issues, concentrate on your own agendas.

Baniya logic 102: Get interested only when there's profit, otherwise fold hands, and get the fck outta there

 

[Raje amar]

And US should "mind it's own business " and not middle in our..

 

[1971+]

This was not even worth being reported in Indian media. India isn't 55'th state of US (UK and Canada being 53rd and 54'th respectively). India has it's own interests and priorities to look after and I guess Iran is doing just fine.

 

[Justforgags]

American shitheads will do nothing or say nothing about terrorism that India faces but farts hypocrisy about some imaginary terrorism from Iran. On the other hand they are in bed with Saudis who who gift wrapped them 911.
There is only one issue with Iran and that's their hatred for Israel.
Persians are smart people and were the first Mid East country to acknowledge Israel. It's only after the tollahs came in that they started spouting venom. When the tollahs go Persians will again be friends with Israel.
Every problem in the Mid East can be traced back to mullahs and tollahs.

 

[Indus Pakistan]

Well here we have it. I have been saying all along that this Iran/India thing is all lots of hot air. Everytime the less than mature Pakistani members hear the name "India" in the same sentance as "Chah Bahar" they go livid. And each time I have to tell them relax. It's more hot air.

Reason? Simple. India cannot cozy up to America and Israel creating a America-India-Israel trioka and then expect to develop anything meaningful with Iran?. America and Isreal regard Iran as evil personified. Well here we are. As soon as Modi heads to Iran vibes are being given of by US. The subtext is don't make or do anything substantive. With Israel and America looking on Modi is just going to go to Iran. Do the usual photo shots. Few big speaches carrying nothing of substance. Then head back to India.

We already saw how India dumped Iran like soiled linen when Hillary Clinton had good chat with Indian's. This means India policy toward Iran is hostage to America/Isreal. Hillary will set the red lines for India or all those benefits coming from US/Isreal will slow down.

I persuaded India to back Iran sanctions: Hillary Clinton
Last Updated: Thursday, September 10, 2015 - 08:53

Link > http://zeenews.india.com/news/india...k-iran-sanctions-hillary-clinton_1759037.html

Every problem in the Mid East can be traced back to mullahs and tollahs.

Before the revolution in 1979 Iran was tight buddy of Pakistan. In the Pak/India wars Iran extended all support barring sending soldiers. Military hardware, ammunition, logistics, fuel and even nurses were sent to help Pakistan against India.

 

[Stephen Cohen]

Well here we have it. I have been saying all along that this Iran/India thing is all lots of hot air. Everytime the less than mature Pakistani members hear the name "India" in the same sentance as "Chah Bahar" they go livid. And each time I have to tell them relax. It's more hot air.

Reason? Simple. India cannot cozy up to America and Israel creating a America-India-Israel trioka and then expect to develop anything meaningful with Iran?. America and Isreal regard Iran as evil personified. Well here we are. As soon as Modi heads to Iran vibes are being given of by US. The subtext is don't make or do anything substantive. With Israel and America looking on Modi is just going to go to Iran. Do the usual photo shots. Few big speaches carrying nothing of substance. Then head back to India.

We already saw how India dumped Iran like soiled linen when Hillary Clinton had good chat with Indian's. This means India policy toward Iran is hostage to America/Isreal. Hillary will set the red lines for India or all those benefits coming from US/Isreal will slow down.

I persuaded India to back Iran sanctions: Hillary Clinton
Last Updated: Thursday, September 10, 2015 - 08:53

Link > http://zeenews.india.com/news/india...k-iran-sanctions-hillary-clinton_1759037.html



Before the revolution in 1979 Iran was tight buddy of Pakistan. In the Pak/India wars Iran extended all support barring sending soldiers. Military hardware, ammunition, logistics, fuel and even nurses were sent to help Pakistan against India.

If Iran can be good friends with China and Russia -- which are USA 's biggest rivals
Then it can also be so with India

Similarly Iran has good economic relations with Europe who are US allies

India Iran relations are mainly economic in nature --so far

Chahbahar port is also an economic venture but the Geo political angle is
a coincidence because of Gwadar and the road link to Afhanistan

Secondly Iran is always wary of the Saudi Pakistan alliance and
hence Iran and India have a common interest ie Pakistan

Pakistan is also aware of this

Therefore Pakistan has NOT deployed its Army on Iranian Border
and rejected the Yemen invitiation from Saudis

Because Pakistan knows that if Iran Pakistan relations go down
India will jump in

India will Not interfere in any Iranian US / Iranian Israeli dispute

None of our business

We voted against them in IAEA because we were not alone in doing so

Even Russia and China were doing the same thing

 

[Indus Pakistan]

If Iran can be good friends with China -- which is USA 's biggest rival
Then it can also be so with India

Precisely. China is not part of trioka USA-India-Israel. If anything it is a rival of USA. In fact the recent freeing of sanctions was driven by Chinese pressure. Had Washington not made a deal China would have broken off the sanctions regime. Washington knew this that is why the deal came about when it did.

 

[Laozi]

Reason? Simple. India cannot cozy up to America and Israel creating a America-India-Israel trioka and then expect to develop anything meaningful with Iran?.

Leave aside Iran or Chabahar,

India can in future Co-develop PAK FA or S 500 with even Russia,

And still be on friendly terms with Western Powers.

Why are you underestimating Baniyas trained by Chanakya Neeti

 

[Stephen Cohen]

Precisely. China is not part of trioka USA-India-Israel. If anything it is a rival of USA. In fact the recent freeing of sanctions was driven by Chinese pressure. Had Washington not made a deal China would have broken off the sanctions regime. Washington knew this that is why the deal came about when it did.

There is NO troika as you say

That is just your conspiracy theory

India- Israel relations are independent of Israel's tensions with Arab world

Does Israel NEED India ; for its security -- NO never --because it has got USA

India US relations are different -- They have a common denominator called China

Before the revolution in 1979 Iran was tight buddy of Pakistan. In the Pak/India wars Iran extended all support barring sending soldiers. Military hardware, ammunition, logistics, fuel and even nurses were sent to help Pakistan against India.

The sectarianism in Pakistan and Saudi Pakistan close ness has brought a
chill in Iran Pakistan relations

Precisely. China is not part of trioka USA-India-Israel. If anything it is a rival of USA. In fact the recent freeing of sanctions was driven by Chinese pressure. Had Washington not made a deal China would have broken off the sanctions regime. Washington knew this that is why the deal came about when it did.

The sanctions would have continued till Western countries got a Good deal

The deal happened because Iranian economy was bleeding badly

And China would have never sacrificed its economic relations with USA
for Iran's sake -- If it had broken out then US China trade war would have happened

China's and Russia's role was to convince Iran to get an honourable exit from this impasse

 

[Indus Pakistan]

Let's get the facts clear. There is clear and unambigous aligning of America, India, Israel notwithstanding claims to the contrary. India has sided with US in the South China Sea dispute. US and Indian military are developing working relationship. Isreal has had long military sales and technology transfers to India. Iran is not blind to this.

The nuclear deal we saw recently is entirely thanks to China. US knew that Chinese disposition toward the sanctions was waning. If a nuclear deal had not been made China might have decided to say "hell to sanctions". The pressure of this was what brought about the deal. Rest of the pack including India were "yes sirs" and would lined up till their legs gave way. Please read the article below.

Quote

"The key would be China, the largest purchaser of Iranian crude, which reluctantly made major cuts in imports to provide leverage for diplomacy. Convinced that the United States walked away from an effective solution to the nuclear problem, Beijing might simply ignore the re-imposition of U.S. oil sanctions and refuse to make further cuts, forcing the United States to choose between not imposing sanctions (and exposing them as a paper tiger) or imposing them and risking a major confrontation with China. And even if the U.S. chose the more confrontational course, China could possibly find workarounds, creating new banks and companies to bear the brunt of sanctions for facilitating oil purchases, while insulating major Chinese entities from the reach of U.S. sanctions and proceeding to increase purchases."

Link > http://www.brookings.edu/research/reports2/2015/08/iran-nuclear-deal-battleground-issues-einhorn

Whether the "tollahs" in Tehran appreciate this or not but the fact is any thinking Iranian will know that was it not for China Iran's position would be that much weaker. Every year that goes by China buys more oil from Iran. Every year means extra Chinese dependancy on Iran. That means US can't kick around Iran without taking the "China factor" into account as any move would rebound on China which of course would not be too pleased. China is not India. You can't just send Hillary Clinton to have tea in Beijing and change their policy.

As can be seen by the title of this thread all that lovey dovey that India has gained with USA and Israel comes with price also. There is no such thing as free lunch in this world. You scratch my back inevitably follows with "now you scratch mine".

@PAKISTANFOREVER @Zibago

 

[Stephen Cohen]

Let's get the facts clear. There is clear and unambigous aligning of America, India, Israel notwithstanding claims to the contrary. India has sided with US in the South China Sea dispute. US and Indian military are developing working relationship. Isreal has had long military sales and technology transfers to India. Iran is not blind to this.

The nuclear deal we saw recently is entirely thanks to China. US knew that Chinese disposition toward the sanctions was waning. If a nuclear deal had not been made China might have decided to say "hell to sanctions". The pressure of this was what brought about the deal. Rest of the pack including India were "yes sirs" and would lined up till their legs gave way. Please read the article below.

Quote

"The key would be China, the largest purchaser of Iranian crude, which reluctantly made major cuts in imports to provide leverage for diplomacy. Convinced that the United States walked away from an effective solution to the nuclear problem, Beijing might simply ignore the re-imposition of U.S. oil sanctions and refuse to make further cuts, forcing the United States to choose between not imposing sanctions (and exposing them as a paper tiger) or imposing them and risking a major confrontation with China. And even if the U.S. chose the more confrontational course, China could possibly find workarounds, creating new banks and companies to bear the brunt of sanctions for facilitating oil purchases, while insulating major Chinese entities from the reach of U.S. sanctions and proceeding to increase purchases."

Link > http://www.brookings.edu/research/reports2/2015/08/iran-nuclear-deal-battleground-issues-einhorn

Whether the "tollahs" in Tehran appreciate this or not but the fact is any thinking Iranian will know that was it not for China Iran's position would be that much weaker. Every year that goes by China buys more oil from Iran. Every year means extra Chinese dependancy on Iran. That means US can't kick around Iran without taking the "China factor" into account as any move would rebound on China which of course would not be too pleased. China is not India. You can't just send Hillary Clinton to have tea in Beijing and change their policy.

As can be seen by the title of this thread all that lovey dovey that India has gained with USA and Israel comes with price also. There is no such thing as free lunch in this world. You scratch my back inevitably follows with "now you scratch mine".

Let us look at Iran's external relations

Iran already has NO relations with USA
Tensions with Arab World

Only economic ties with Europe ; the US factor is always lurking

Good relations with China and Russia -- including security related

Now comes India at the Bottom

India Iran relations have suddenly caught Pakistan's attention because of Gwadar
and Chahbahr

So Iran is ONLY diversifying and hedging its economic future by
cooperating with India

Every country does so -- Iran will NOT put all its eggs in China's basket

Chahbahar has a Much larger Hinterland and Because of Iran's OIL and Gas
wealth ; Chahbahar will prosper rapidly

 

[Indus Pakistan]

Every country does so -- Iran will NOT put all its eggs in China's basket

Of course, But America (Israel comes as package) is not going to take lightly any country advancing or helping Iran. Thus the song and dance being made by this US group before even Modi has set foot in Iran. These groups usually reflect official US thinking.

The only question is will America react to many meaningful development India carries out in Iran and will India acquiesce to US pressure. As seen by Hillary Clintons bending of India with regards to the sanctions expect India to take heed. Will US apply pressure to limit Modi's visit to big talk, hugs, handshakes and photo ops to show folk back in India about the success of Modi diplomacy. I expect so. Even before Modi has set off as the OP shows there are rumblings in Washington. No doubt US will make it's position known to India privately.

The fact is whether you like it US has far reach in this world. US leverage will only increase on India as America builds up the strategic relationship with India. There is reason that despite decade of Chah and Bahar or big talk of Iran-Pak gas pipeline nothing has come of both projects. US influence.

And the only big boy around who can even dare to navigate a path divergent to US is bad boy China. That's why America cut the nuclear deal before China went stray. Iran knows that as long as it has bad boy China sniffing around US or Israel will not do something real stupid because of the negative impact on China of such a venture.