• Source:JND
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in the mountainous northwest region of Iran on Sunday. PM Modi acknowledged the contribution of President Raisi for strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship while stating that India stands with the Islamic Republic of Iran in its time of sorrow.

Expressing his condolences to the people of Iran, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted President Ebrahim Raisi's role in strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations, which have been historically sound for decades. The shared culture and history over centuries were a major contribution for the healthy ties, which were deepened by growing partnership among the both nations even after the strict sanctions placed by European Union and United States against the Iranian regime and economy. 

Former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of BRICS Summut. (Image: X/raisi_com)
 

India-Iran Bilateral Relations 

India and Iran have a rich history of bilateral relations that have been shaped by shared history and cultures over the centuries. Before 1947, the two nations shared a border and have since maintained strong links through similarities in language, culture and traditions. The commercial, energy, cultural and people-to-people connections between South Asia and the Persian Gulf are robust and deeply rooted over decades.

The Iranian Revolution in 1979 marked the beginning of a new phase of engagement, with economic and commercial ties being particularly strong due to India’s import of Iranian crude oil. In turn, India’s exports to Iran are diverse, ranging from petroleum products to rice, machinery, metals, pharmaceuticals and chemicals.

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Strengthening Of Ties Under President Ebrahim Raisi 

Under the leadership of President Sayyid Ebrahim Raisi, India-Iran bilateral relations reached new heights. This progress has been remarkable, considering India’s close relationship with Israel, Tehran’s arch-rival. Despite potential tensions, the relationship between India and Iran has remained unharmed. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ebrahim Raisi first met in September 2022 on the sidelines of the SCO Heads of State Summit in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand, where they reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral trade and connectivity. They met again at the BRICS Summit in August 2023, further solidifying their partnership with the inclusion of Islamic Republic of Iran in the BRICS as a member state. 

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets with his Iran counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Tehran. (Reuters)

High-level visits have been a cornerstone of this relationship, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visiting Iran in January 2024, following previous visits in 2021. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, who was also killed in the chopper crash on May 19,2024, visited India in June 2022, which resulted in the signing of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty on Civil and Commercial Matters. Additionally, in August 2022, Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, signed an MoU on maritime cooperation during his visit to Iran.

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India and Iran have also established several bilateral consultative mechanisms, including the Joint Committee Meeting (JCM), Foreign Office Consultations (FOC), Security Consultations, and the Joint Consular Committee Meeting (JCCM). These platforms, along with Joint Working Groups, facilitate cooperation across various sectors of mutual interest, demonstrate the multifaceted nature of the partnership between the two countries.