New Delhi, September 1: During the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Kyrgyzstan, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Iranian President Masoud Pejashenjan. Speculations suggest that discussions included the Chabahar Port, which former Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar highlighted as a significant indicator of India’s peace-centric foreign policy.
MJ Akbar stated, “The most crucial aspect of Prime Minister Modi’s agenda in Kyrgyzstan was his first meeting with the Iranian President. This meeting conveyed a strong message, especially against the backdrop of the Makkah Pact, emphasizing that solutions to problems do not lie in war or alliances, but in dialogue. Prime Minister Modi considers this dialogue as a core part of his policy, which is peace.”
He noted that Iran and India have employed what is termed ‘flexible realism’ in diplomacy to find a new alignment. A vital element of their conversation was trade, particularly in the context of U.S. sanctions and tariffs on Iran. Both leaders discussed the importance of securing the Strait of Hormuz for the movement of ships.
According to MJ Akbar, the most significant bilateral issue discussed was the Chabahar Port. This port has become extremely vital amid current crises. It has long been part of the India-Iran agenda, but it truly materialized during Prime Minister Modi’s first five years in office. Renewed discussions about Chabahar Port are excellent news for both nations. India and Iran, as civilizations-based nations, understand that their bilateral relations are far more important than pacts formed for war.
Regarding China, MJ Akbar remarked, “Our NSA Ajit Doval’s visit to China has had an exceptionally positive impact on India-China relations, particularly concerning border management, which has been a significant challenge for over five decades. The 1962 war marked a major turning point.”
He added that prior to this, relations were largely cordial, but since then, the border has been a point of conflict and challenge for both our military and diplomatic efforts. The agreement reached in 1988 remains in place, establishing a fundamental understanding that the solution lies in ‘non-solution.’ This means accepting reality as it is and seeking other avenues for cooperation.
The former Minister of State emphasized that Doval’s visit has reinforced this message. There is substantial evidence that China has recognized that the ‘hawks’ within the Chinese military are not conducive to good relations with India. Speculations suggest that a prominent military ‘hawk’ within the Chinese command has recently been removed. While the full truth remains unclear due to the opaque nature of the Chinese system, it is known that President Xi will soon visit Delhi.
He further stated that both sides are making every effort to ensure that the upcoming BRICS summit, although under the BRICS banner, will have a strong bilateral element. This meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi aims to resolve current tensions and pave the way for future cooperation.
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