Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's trip to Tehran coincides with escalating global problems, including ongoing Israeli assault on the Palestinian Gaza Strip and Yemen's targeting of Israeli vessels in the Red Sea.
Jaishankar began his visits to Iran on Monday by meeting with Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash.
They had a 'productive' dialogue on creating a long-term framework for cooperation regarding the strategically significant port of Chabahar.
The two ministers will also discuss bilateral, regional, and international issues, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Iran occupies a distinctive place in the
complex network of global alliances, marked by a lack of allies both regionally and internationally,
Vice Admiral AK Chawla, Distinguished Fellow at United Service Institution of India, told Sputnik India.
He noted, however, that Iran continues to be a crucial country, blessed with a rich society and abundant natural resources.
"Its strategic location at the mouth of the Persian Gulf only adds to its significance, making it a linchpin in the geopolitical landscape” Chawla said.
Chawla pointed out that “the
freedom of navigation on the high seas is a
shared interest, extending its benefits to all, including Iran. The critical passage of trade and goods through the
Persian and Red Seas has positioned India as a key player in the Middle East.”
India could play a significant role in the Middle East by using its diplomatic capabilities to promote an end to the conflict in Gaza, Hassan Beheshtipour, a Political Analyst at the Institute for Iran-Eurasia Studies (IRAS), told Sputnik India.
He emphasized the importance of persuading Israel to stop its actions.
The analyst also pointed out that while major powers such as the United States and the UK have not successfully influenced Israel, there are doubts about Iran's capability to pressure Palestine, the oppressed party, into compliance.
“Functioning as an impartial mediator, India assumes the role of an honest broker who can actively
foster dialogue between the Middle East and other nations. Recognizing the interconnectedness of national, regional, and global economies, the secure movement of commodities and people in this strategic maritime corridor becomes not merely a logistical necessity but a linchpin supporting the prosperity of nations on a broader scale,” Chawla noted.