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It finally seems like Indian Diplomacy is working between Iran and US !!
Source @US-Iran pact could give India big gains - The Times of IndiaNEW DELHI: While they aren't yet doing a high five in South Block but it's difficult to miss the optimism here at the possibility of Iran's new president Hassan Rouhani actually shaking hands with Barack Obama this week.
India has been friend of Iran's, US pressures notwithstanding. While little was officially shared about Manmohan Singh's meetings with Ayatollah Khamenei in August 2012 in Tehran on the sidelines of the NAM summit, it is believed he impressed upon the Iranian leader about the importance of resolving the standoff over Iran's nuclear programme.
New Delhi is inclined to believe that Khamenei is actually more pragmatic than is believed by the west. If Rouhani meets Obama, which may open the door to much more, it would only reflect the decision of Khamenei.
India has persisted with its ties with Tehran in the teeth of western and Israeli criticism. Even the India-US nuclear deal asks India to work with US against Iran's nuclear programme. While India has stated it would not countenance another nuclear weapons state in its neighbourhood, India did not cut off ties with Teheran.
Therefore, a potential rapprochement between Iran and US would be welcomed in Delhi.
India and Iran would have a better platform to work together in Afghanistan after the US leaves in 2014. That, in fact, would be one of the big impetus of an American deal with Iran. Iran is opposed to the Taliban, even if it has flirted with the extremist group against the US in recent years. An Iran-US understanding would make it easier for countries like India and Iran to counter the Taliban and Pakistan's influence over the Talibs.
That apart, the Chahbahar port, in southeastern Iran bordering the Indian Ocean and Oman Sea, could open up many more possibilities, not just for India but for many other countries as well, enhancing Iran's geo-strategic position.
Iran is also in a position to influence two big conflicts in the region - Syria and Iraq. The balance of power in the Gulf and Middle East is predicated on some kind of a sectarian power balance between the Sunni and Shia countries. A mainstreamed Iran could temper the strife by bringing a greater sense of parity.
For US ally in the region, Israel, to feel secure, the Americans would have to reach with Iran some kind of nuclear deal that allows for peaceful use of nuclear power without the weapons. This will be the most difficult part as Iran is determined not to give up its weapons option.
And that brings the reality check - a US-Iran rapprochement is a way away. But a US-Iran conversation is not.