Editorial 1 : Looking West
Introduction: India Port Global Ltd. (IPGL) signed a deal with the Ports and Maritime Organisation of Iran for the operation of a terminal at Chabahar port. But this deal is entangled with fear of an American sanction.
The background of the Chabahar port
- The 2003 visit to Delhi by the then-president Syed Mohammad Khatami was hailed as a landmark moment for India-Iran ties.
- The centrepiece of the slew of agreements was cooperation on the development of Chabahar Port, which could open up access to the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, Central Asia and Europe.
- In the 21 years since, as animosity deepened between Washington and Tehran, and Delhi grew closer to the former, the development of the port slowed down.
- Since 2015 — to the credit of the current government — there has been consistent forward movement.
- While the coordination between Iran, India and Afghanistan may have been dampened by the Taliban’s return in Kabul, the strategic importance of Chabahar is intact.
What is the latest deal between India and Iran?
- Indian government’s India Ports Global LTD (IPGL) and the Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organisation of Iran signed a 10-years contract for the operation of a terminal at Chabahar port.
- IPGL will directly invest about $120 million while India has offered credit in rupees equivalent to $250 million.
A fear of US sanctions looms over the deal
- There is concern over US sanctions on Iran affecting India’s strategic bet with Chabahar, but these may be exaggerated.
- It was, after all, under Donald Trump’s tenure in 2017 — the former US president took a hawkish stance on Iran — that Delhi was able to get a waiver from sanctions on the Chabahar project, citing access to Afghanistan.
- On the commercial front, however, things are more complicated.
- Which products can be traded with and through Iran, and at what volume, may become a bone of contention for some of India’s friends in the West.
- Then there’s the fact that China is deeply entrenched in Central Asia and its markets, including through its Belt and Road Initiative.
Both of India’s major projects to connect Europe hangs in limbo
- The Chabahar project is a potential component of the International North-South Transport Corridor, envisioned by Russia, Iran and India to link South Asia with Central Asia and Europe.
- Tensions within Europe, as well as between Iran and the West, make this important project a challenging one.
- The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, announced at the G20 summit in Delhi last year, has great potential as well.
- Formulated as a counter to BRI, it seeks to build road, rail and shipping networks through India’s near-West to Western Europe.
- Unfortunately, the Israel-Hamas conflict has paused the gains of the Abraham Accords and slowed down the project.
Conclusion: What these diverse partnerships illustrate is that Delhi is pursuing many routes as it looks to its near West, and that it is willing to negotiate a complex global strategic environment to do so.
Editorial 2 : Misreading America’s lines
Introduction: Indian domestic debate on how West, particularly USA sees the democratic credential of India should not be top on the agenda. The USA elections and its outcome must be seen carefully in India, because of its impact on trade and security of India.
Indian media’s misplaced concern regarding USA
- Indian media often portrays the US as preoccupied with India's "democratic backsliding" and election interference.
- In reality, the US is dealing with more pressing concerns.
- The ongoing US general election could significantly impact its political, economic, and geopolitical landscape.
- The US is struggling with:
- Russian invasion of Ukraine in Europe.
- China's expansionism in Asia.
- The Gaza conflict affecting American domestic politics.
- The US has not effectively countered the Sino-Russian alliance challenging its global interests.
- Recent visits by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Europe and the upcoming visit by Russian leader Vladimir Putin to China highlight the growing strategic coordination between Beijing and Moscow against the West.
Return of Trump and America’s domestic crisis
- There is little discussion in India about important US domestic debates, especially regarding the upcoming elections.
- Donald Trump's potential return to presidency is concerning for US allies and the Indian media missed covering his recent interview outlining plans on relevant issues for India.
- Indian media prioritizes commentary by US State Department spokespersons over the actual US domestic political discourse.
- Western media coverage of Indian elections is primarily based on reports by India-based correspondents, read more in India than the West.
- Indian foreign reporting focuses on Western media's coverage of India rather than the actual political situation in the countries the reporters are stationed in.
- Commentary on Indian democracy in Western media is a small portion of their overall output.
West’s capital interests
- The debate about Western countries promoting democracy is inaccurate.
- Their foreign policies are driven by capitalists and security interests, not spreading a specific ideology.
- Slogans about "democracy promotion" don't reflect the reality of US foreign policy, similar to how "strategic autonomy" discussions don't reveal much about India's actual foreign policy actions.
- Every country has its own narrative about its global role, but these are adjusted based on realpolitik (political realism) and external circumstances.
- The US's past support for Pakistan's military, overlooking human rights abuses, contradicts the idea of democracy being their top priority.
- Similarly, supporting China's rise and aiding the rise of Islamic extremism in Afghanistan show US foreign policy prioritizes interests over ideology.
- This is not criticizing the US, but highlighting the gap between their stated goals and actual actions.
- Geopolitical and economic interests, not spreading democracy, are the main drivers of US foreign policy.
Concerns for Delhi
- The US elections matter to India for reasons beyond Indian democracy being a talking point.
- These are going to be the fallback of a potential change of guard at Washington
- Potential US trade policy changes under Trump, including a 10% import tariff, could significantly impact India's trade.
- Trump's foreign policy towards Russia and China affects India's strategic partnership with the US.
- Trump's immigration policies targeting undocumented immigrants, including many Indians, should concern India.
- Potential changes to the US government under Trump could have global implications, including for India.
Conclusion: Ultimately, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's warnings about a potential "dictatorship" in India and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's use of the Constitution in his election rallies hold more significance than editorials on the Indian elections in The New York Times and The Guardian. The true fight for Indian democracy is internal, not a contest between Delhi and Western capitals.