India-Iran Relations and U.S. Interests (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised Aug. 6, 2007 |
| Report Number |
RS22486 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
K. Alan Kronstadt and Kenneth Katzman, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
India's growing energy needs and its relatively benign view of Iran's intentions will likely cause policy differences between New Delhi and Washington. India seeks positive ties with Iran and is unlikely to downgrade its relationship with Tehran at the behest of external powers, but it is unlikely that the two will develop a broad and deep strategic alliance. India-Iran relations are also unlikely to derail the further development of close and productive U.S.-India relations on a number of fronts. [â¦] A July 2005 Joint Statement resolved to establish a U.S.-India 'global partnership' through increased cooperation on economic issues, on energy and the environment, on democracy and development, on non-proliferation and security, and on high-technology and space. U.S. policy is to isolate Iran and to ensure that its nuclear program is used for purely civilian purposes. India has never shared U.S. assessments of Iran as an aggressive regional power. India-Iran relations have traditionally been positive and, in January 2003, the two countries launched a 'strategic partnership' with the signing of the 'New Delhi Declaration' and seven other substantive agreements. Indian leaders regularly speak of 'civilizational ties' between the two countries, a reference to the interactions of Persian and Indus Valley civilizations over a period of millennia. As U.S. relations with India grow deeper and more expansive in the new century, some in Washington believe that New Delhi's friendship with Tehran could become a significant obstacle to further development of U.S.-India ties.
