About the author- The author of this article, Subrat Pradhan, is a science graduate in zoology, UN College, Cuttack.
The NDA Government in 2019 proved that the people of India are with them as they added 2.0 to the front with their spectacular victory and made it NDA 2.0. The Saffron party rose to power and prominence selling the dreams of development (Vikas). However, whether or not everything has been achieved is a point of debate, deliberation and discussion.
But, this write-up, far away from the rhetoric of daily politics focuses on our relationship with the countries that matters to us. Since the day the Party has been in power under the able leadership of the Prime-Minister Modi, it has been winning laurels for its performances in the domain of foreign policy. India’s global standing has gone up and even many claim that India has emerged as a global leader over the few years owing to the spectacular achievements of the Government.
However, not everything is hunky-dory, the story has some twists. In the past few years though India has strengthened its ties with Western countries, it has been less focused on its own neighbourhood, leaving its own backyard for China. The growing tensions with China, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh to some extent exemplify India’s neighbourhood policy.
Anyhow India has managed to tackle these issues or suppressed it down; the periodic emergence of such problems need to be taken care of. The only two neighbours with whom there have been less problems are Bhutan and Afghanistan. Others being inclined towards china for funding make it clear for the rifts in relations. China Encircled India through its strategic String Of Pearls(SOP), perceiving a threat, India countered it by the historic Chabahar port project. The project not only neutralised SOP but also the effects of CPEC as it opens India to the central and west Asia.
Further the development of Delaram-Zaranj Highway has opened India’s market access to Afghanistan. Chabahar port is technically the vigilant eye on Gwadar port from where Pakistan and China will operate. The role of Iran for India is strategically essential no doubt in that. The recent news of Iran ending its partnership with India for development of Chabahar-Zahedan railway project citing delay in funding shows India’s casual approach towards Iran despite knowing its importance. So far there have been three statements. 1) Iran drops India from Chabahar rail project. 2) Iran has no agreement with Indian Government for developing rail project 3) The agreement was between Iran railways and IRCON (state owned company). The game of words is on.
Iran’s claim is to develop the rail project with its own Iran National Development Fund. However assumptions are being made that the funding could be from the Dragon. Amid pandemic, ties between the USA and India look unbreakable. But Delhi needs to be cautious of Mr. Trump’s America first policy, he is not someone who can be taken for granted. So long the USA is appeased things will look well-settled. However, Iran’s relation with the USA is well known to the world. So making a balance between the USA and Iran is like to bell the cat.
Now India has lagged behind in this game as India’s only hope to reach central Asia is at stake. Though nothing to worry about chabahar project as for now works are in progress. Still India needs to speculate the consequences if Iran drifts away. Disturbances with Pakistan, china, Nepal and the sudden emergence of Iran have questioned the foreign policy of Government for which it has always been credited. Instead of playing with words Government should find the reasons for delay in funding and approach Tehran to figure out the solution as it is high time now.
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