The attempt afoot to anchor Indo-Iran relationship on civilisational basis is misplaced. The ancient civilisation they talk about was buried five fathom deep in the Tigris the day Zoroastrians arrived on our shores as refugees fleeing religious persecution.You don't relate to a memory in a bout of sentimentalism.The horror chambers, the midnight executions, the killing fields in the aftermath of revolution throwing out the Shah regime have only one parallel in history: the Stalinist purges.As in any revolution, after the initial burst of executions, the very enthusiasts of initial round were executed for not being Islamic enough. Thousands were liquidated. Iran is the only country in modern history to have violated the diplomatic immunity and kept the Americans in their Embassay as captives for well over a year and subjected them to mock executions. Today, their nuclear ambition has given rise to deep apprehensions in the rest of the world.Iran's oil and gas are supplied at market price as a pure commercial transaction.Contrast it with the phenomenal income generated by IT and BPO industry, providing millions of jobs heavily dependent on USA that has placed the country among the knowledge capitals in the world.Relationship with Iran should be on an hard appraisal of enlightened self-interest and not as a needless snub to the USA. We have no reputation of being realists, especially when our interests are concerned, be it China or Iran. We can do with an honest introspection.
RE:India - Iran - civilisational relationship
by anish on Apr 29, 2008 01:25 AM Permalink
kid, be sensible, and dont read things into it. iran is india's only option of getting gas and petroleum, after having lost various bids to the chineese. government cat subsidise your petrol for ever, which in reality costs us double to what its been sold within the country. its called sensible politics. iran has petrol and not US, and if we ontinue to crib about it the chinneese will end up stealing that too.
RE:India - Iran - civilisational relationship
by leonard on Apr 29, 2008 12:49 AM Permalink
Krish, That would be applicable if the US had opposed the visit, on the contrary, the US suggested India use the opportunity to caution Iran.
