Payman Yazdani and Banafsheh Esmaili of Mehr News International Service asked Mr. Saurabh Kumar about different issues including but not limited to Asia-Pacific politics and the role of the US, trade and business in Iranian southeast coastal waters and ports and the prospects of energy and India’s preferences in buying natural gas from regional suppliers including Iran.
Recently, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia has stated that India and Russia’s strategic relations will stay the same. In addition, India has requested the support of Russia and India in getting a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. Does it mean that India’s Foreign Policy is more in line with those of China and Russia than that of the US?
We are one of the founders of NAM. Our policy has always been based on maintaining good relations with all nations. We make decisions based on the maximum benefit to India’s national interest. We will, therefore, continue in the same fashion. We want good relations with all nations, including world powers. Our foreign policy is in the direction of India’s national interest and global stability.
What are the most important points of convergence in India, Russia, and China’s foreign policy in the international arena?
All nations want to have independent foreign policy, to the benefit of their national interest. India is pursuing the same. We may have some points of convergence and commonalities in some areas with many nations. We are to become members to Shanghai Cooperation Organization. We have historical relations with Russia. And we purchase a lot of military equipment from them. Russia is also a partner in energy, particularly the nuclear energy. China is our largest neighbor and our biggest business partner. The trade relations between China and India have been growing. We also have good defense exchanges with China. In the international arena, too, as two developing countries, we have similar positions on a number of issues.
How do you see the future of BRICS?
BRICS is an organization which is evolving. The cooperation has been increasing between the BRICS countries. They have taken certain concrete measures in the economic area. So I see the cooperation further increasing and some good steps have been taken by BRICS members.
Can it be considered as a new alignment confronting the US?
I do not see BRICS confronting any country or organization or identity. I think BRICS members had an economic agenda when they came together. Their cooperation has increased over the years. The measures taken by BRICS are constructive for developing countries.
On the US Pivot policy to Asia, the policy focuses from Middle East to Asia. What is the importance of India for the US?
As we know the fulcrum of economic activity has been shifting from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The economy of India, China, and other Asian countries has been increasing at a fast pace. This has led to the Asia-Pacific region gaining greater importance. The countries of the region are both trying to expand relations with other countries, as well as relations between themselves.
What is India’s stance on the changes in the Asian policies of the US?
It is to each country to decide on its own foreign policy. We do not suggest to any country what its foreign policy should be.
On his last visit to India, Barak Obama called the US-India relations historic. What is India’s importance to the US?
India and the US share a lot: we are democracies; we have had historic relations that have gained momentum in the recent years. The US is a nation with an advanced level of technology, and is capable of making investment in India. We are looking forward to increasing engagements with the US. And we would continue to engage with the Americans in our national interest.
What is Iran’s standing for India in terms of energy policy? Is India going to replace TAPI for Peace Gas pipeline?
It should be stated that India is in need for energy, and would get energy from whatever source of dependable nature. In line with this, India would very much like to investigate all options, and is still keeping all options on the table. During the latest visit of the Petroleum and Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, discussions took place on developing cooperation with Iran. Farad B gas field project was also discussed and the marketing of the gas, it has been decided, to be shouldered by India. We need to make good studies to ensure if investment in this section is economically viable. It should be mentioned that we have the time till the end of this year to conclude this issue.
But the Peace Pipeline contract was signed in 2002. It was supposed to be finished by 2012. However, despite made by Iran, including the building of 900km of pipeline into Pakistan border, no actions have been taken by India and Pakistan. This project has been left unfinished. We do not look into the past. We need to see how we can develop our relations in the future. It should be mentioned that Iran and India have a joint commission on energy. As I stated India is very much in need of energy; therefore, it will consider all options available. When an option is put forward, all aspects of its need to be examined and then a final decision can be made.
Is India’s decision to invest in Chabahar aims at competing and defying the Chinese’s investment in Gwadar port city?
We do not compete with any nation. We are cooperating with the Iranian Government and Chabahar port has a lot of importance to us and the region. Relations with other nations are very important to us. Accessing Afghanistan, CIS region, and Caucasus are amongst the important factors in India’s plan to invest in Chabahar.
Hamid Karzai, the former Afghan president, stated that Iran, Russia, and India are to join Kabul peace talks, what do you think of this?
Afghanistan and the peace process for maintaining peace in this country are of high importance because the maintenance of security in Afghanistan means security in the whole region. But in order to establish security in Afghanistan, the roots of terrorism, as well as the support for terrorists from beyond the Afghan border need to be destroyed. India would support any move to establish and maintain stability and security in Afghanistan and would join any step in this way.
India and Pakistan’s mutual negotiations have been halted since Pathankot Airbase attacks. When will do you think these negotiations be revived?
We want improvement in our relations with Pakistan. We have done a lot in this regard. Our PM’s visit to Pakistan, as well as our EAM’s visit, have been some steps to name in the way to normalizing our relations. In fact we want the relations between the two countries to be normal. In so doing, we need to have support for terrorism from beyond our borders dismantled.
Interview By: Paiman Yazdani, Banafsheh Esmaili