New Delhi: In the midst of the ongoing war in West Asia, the visit of Iranian President Masoud Bakhchiyan to New Delhi and his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given importance to India-Iran relations in the BRICS meeting. The two leaders discussed the regional situation, mutual relations and the prospects for peace and stability. The Iranian president called BRICS as an important platform for finding new ways of trade and financial cooperation and emphasized on the alternative payment system and increasing trade links with different countries. The discussion of local currencies and alternative payment systems is of particular importance to Iran amid US sanctions on Tehran. Iran's importance to India is not limited to bilateral trade. The Chabahar port provides India with an important access route to Afghanistan and Central Asia. That is why New Delhi wants to continue its economic and coordination projects with Iran. The current war has also increased the diplomatic challenge for India. New Delhi wants to balance its interests with the US, Gulf countries and other world powers while maintaining relations with Iran. India has emphasized on dialogue, diplomacy and regional stability rather than open alignment with any one side in the matter of war. Even within BRICS, not all countries have the same position on the war in West Asia. While Iran wants to make the organization an effective platform against unilateral pressure at the global level with economic cooperation, some countries including India are reluctant to turn BRICS into an alliance against a specific power. The increased focus has opened new doors of cooperation for India and Iran, but realizing these possibilities will be the next test of the diplomatic strategies of both countries.
