Persian influence in India is felt across a wide spectrum; so are the Persian goods sold in Indian bazaars. Since her independence in 1947, India–Iran relationship was solid as rock. The ruling elite of India wanted to rubbish this time tested relationship by tying up to the American bandwagon. Result = geoeconomics disasters due to misplaced priority. Here are two illustrations:
1. The 628 km railway link from Chabahar port of Iran to city of Zahedan on the Afghan border was a work in progress for some time. This link would have boosted India’s stature in Iranian and Afghan mind set and would have served her illusive purpose of connectivity by passing Pakistan, to Afghanistan and further towards the Five Stans of Central Asia.
Whereas Iran was forthcoming with her plans intention, Indian elites were dilly dallying in endless negotiation posing numerous queries and pronouncing doubts over the completion of the project. India also raised the involvement of IRGC and consequent US screening of the project as detrimental to her interest. In exasperation, Iran cancelled the project altogether and is now seeking investors from elsewhere. Surely China would join in one or other forms. India is now tasting the bitter melon in geoeconomics.
2. Farzad - B Gas Field in the Persian Gulf is an off-shore natural gas field, 20 kilometres off Farsi Island in Iran. It has in-place reserves around 21.68 trillion cubic foot of which around 60% is recoverable. A consortium of three Indian companies originally discovered it in 2008 after working on this site for more than five years. For India it was god sent opportunity as it affords energy security at reasonable cost and that too for a long term. Yet, Indians were dilly dallying as usual.
Although Iran was eager to complete the project on time, Indian elites were not in favour due to political reasons rather than geoeconomics dictates. After considerable correspondence and meeting of experts from both sides India impressed Iran that she never wanted to be part of this because she feared adverse consequences from USA. In desperation, Iran awarded the contract for the development to a domestic company that would opt for joint venture with either China or Russia for both. Admittedly, there is quite some enthusiasm from the Mid-East interment banks to finance it. Once again India messed up her geoeconomics priority.
Cheers!
Muthu Ashraff Rajulu
Business Strategist
Mobile: + 94 777 265677
E-mail: cosmicgems@gmail.com
Blog: Business Strategist
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