Jaishankar’s Tehran visit significant for timing on Afghanistan

It also signals easing of bilateral tensions

The visit of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to Tehran to attend the on Thursday marks a milestone in recent attempts by both sides to reset the ties that have been under strain for several reasons, including , progress in Chabahar, and Iranian comments on Kashmir over the past few years. They also signal that India will continue to walk its tightrope balance on ties with Iran on one side, and Iran and the U.S., and West Asian adversaries, including Saudi Arabia and Israel, on the other. “During his visit, EAM will call on the President, and on the sidelines, will also meet other leaders,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement ahead of the visit, Mr. Jaishankar’s second one to Tehran within the space of a month. In early July, then newly-elected Mr. Raisi made a break from protocol to meet the EAM and invited the government to attend. India has attended swearing-in ceremonies of Iranian leaders before. Former Vice-President Hamid Ansari and then former Petroleum Minister Nitin Gadkari led the Indian participation both times former Iranian President Rouhani was sworn in (2013 and 2017), but the timing of Mr. Jaishankar’s visit is of particular note.