Strategic patience: Why Iran continues to keep India close despite US, Israel ties
India Today
Despite India's close ties with Israel and the US, Iran continues to maintain a restrained and pragmatic approach towards New Delhi, recognising the strategic value of preserving a long-standing partnership built on energy ties and geopolitical balance.
In the complex West Asian geopolitics, the relationship between Tehran and New Delhi has long been a masterclass in strategic patience. Despite India’s deepening defence ties with Israel and its comprehensive strategic partnership with the United States, Iran has consistently chosen to keep India close, often using a tone of restraint and nuance rarely extended to other partners. The latest example came on Tuesday when the foreign ministers of the two countries spoke.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi and described it as a “detailed discussion” on recent developments, adding that the two sides “agreed to remain in touch”.
This was their third such conversation since the West Asia crisis began and the first since Iran appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader, days after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a joint US-Israel military strike.
Tehran issued a detailed statement after the talks, strongly condemning the actions of the United States and Israel. However, it also noted that “the Indian Foreign Minister, while emphasising the importance of continuing and enhancing bilateral relations between Tehran and New Delhi, stressed the necessity of ongoing consultations to help restore stability to the region”.
In the statement, Iran refrained from using harsh language or public criticism against New Delhi. The restraint reflects a clear calculation that Tehran sees value in keeping India on its side even as regional rivalries intensify. Iran understands that India’s policy is to maintain engagement without taking sides.
India’s decision to condole the death of Khamanei also reflected the diplomatic approach New Delhi has long adopted towards Tehran -- maintaining respectful engagement even during periods of geopolitical tension.
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