Four-time parliamentarian from Tehran and former Speaker of Iranian Parliament, Ghulam Ali Haddad Adel in an interview with Divya A spoke about the progress on Chabahar port, its geopolitical importance, and Tehran’s views on US President Donald Trump’s proposed Gaza takeover plan. He is in New Delhi this week, meeting senior government functionaries, discussing business and trade ties between the two countries as well as civilisational and cultural connect. Edited excerpts:
What’s the status of the Chabahar port project, being developed jointly by India and Iran, especially in the wake of the recent threat of sanctions by the Trump administration?
The geographical conditions and cultural commonness of both countries (India and Iran) necessitate the expansion of economic ties. So, various efforts are going in that direction, including on Chabahar. Iran doesn’t only want improved trade relations with European nations but with all countries, including India and those in Latin America. It is this inclusive approach which is behind the Chabahar project.
The geopolitical position of Chabahar is an important aspect. It will offer India a gateway to Afghanistan. Some part of the project is complete, while the rest awaits some technical coordination between India and Iran, which is underway. There has also been some stranger interference on the project.
President Trump has proposed a Gaza takeover and redevelopment plan. What is the view?
Iran’s stand on the issue is pretty clear. That stand is not just ours, but the majority perception around the world on that statement (by Trump) is negative… It’s as if the classical version of imperialism is coming back…
But given Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent statements on Gaza, is there a way to stop any advances in that direction?
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Tehran has not made any such decision whether our people will go there physically to fight the situation. The people of Palestine have been resisting (Israeli) military advances for last 15 months. They are enough to stop any advances in that respect. Iran has not involved itself physically in the conflict to thwart Israel’s strategy of making this conflict spread to a larger area. Strategically, it won’t be conducive for Iran to be involved directly.
What do you think of India-Iran ties? Has there been an upswing lately?
It is not recent. India and Iran are among oldest living civilisations of the world, and historically, both countries have never been disrespectful to each other. Growing trade and economic ties will now add to spread of culture and languages. During my visit to New Delhi, I am meeting senior government officials, while there were meetings with Education Minister (Dharmendra Pradhan) during my last trip. Persian has been declared among the classical languages here, and so, as per India’s new NEP, it can be a medium of instruction. Such developments allow for a lot of cultural collaboration.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
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