AS the battle in West Asia attracts in Iran, Lebanon and Syria, Iranian Ambassador to India Iraj Elahi talks about how India can play a extra lively position in the direction of a ceasefire and the humanitarian problem on each side. Edited excerpts from an interview to The Indian Categorical:
When the Israel-Hamas battle began final October 7, there have been apprehensions it could escalate. One yr down the road, it’s coming true.
At first, the stress was very restricted. Hamas launched an operation, which Israel referred to as a terrorist act. Some nations supported that, whereas another nations like Iran, Syria, Lebanon and Iran referred to as it resistance… it was a restricted operation in opposition to Israel however Israel tried to alter it to an excuse for its strategic plan.
What would that be?
To eradicate Hamas from Gaza, to push Gazan folks out of their homeland, in the direction of the south, and to occupy all of Gaza. On the similar time, it elevated its strain on West Financial institution residents, even destroying the infrastructure in West Financial institution together with colleges and faculties… Let’s assume it was a terrorist act. Is the response of Israel proportionally correct or equal to the terrorist act? Within the operation of Hamas, 1,000-1,200 had been killed however the casualties in Gaza are 42,000. For every Israeli, they killed 40 folks.
If there’s a provocation, don’t nations have a proper to retaliate?
Even when we assume it was a terrorist act and that they’ve the appropriate for retaliation, shouldn’t or not it’s equal? The retaliatory motion is 40 instances extra, and nonetheless, there isn’t any finish on the horizon for this pressure in Gaza. And it’s widening to Lebanon, to Syria.
One other strategic purpose of Israel was to have interaction the entire nation to extend the priority of the West relating to the area. When you broaden the stress to totally different components of the globe and to different continents, they may all have concern relating to the results.
However the US can also be asking for a ceasefire. Even France is asking for an arms embargo on Israel. What do you consider these statements?
In case you are actually severe relating to ceasefire, you employ totally different leverage to push or to implement your purpose. Until now, the USA has not condemned the crimes of Israel. So it implicitly signifies that Israel has acquired a sure from US on its crime.
It is a battle the place totally different components of the world have totally different views… do you assume there may very well be a center floor, or an answer?
When there may be mud, you can not see actuality. Now the state of affairs is dusty, so a ceasefire can let the mud settle, then these sides who’re engaged within the pressure, and different sides who’re round (geographically), can sit collectively. You possibly can classify nations in numerous teams: Lebanon, Syria, Iran in a single group, then the USA, after which Arab states. So to start with, we must always let the mud settle with a ceasefire, after which take into consideration an answer.
India referred to as the Hamas assault a terrorist assault. Additionally it is sending humanitarian help. It’s advocating a two-state answer.
India’s place is evident. India is strongly supporting a two-state answer. However on the similar time, after a number of hours (on October 7), Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to as the operation of Hamas a terrorist act. The place of India is rational. However as a diplomat, I consider that India can play a extra lively position. India can assist a ceasefire. India can persuade Israel for a ceasefire or de-escalation because the growth of the stress is to not the good thing about any regional nations and even the worldwide financial system. It’s a good alternative for India.
What’s the expectation on what India would have achieved, or can do going ahead?
India is a pioneer in diplomacy. I can’t say what India ought to do or what India can do. Indian policymakers are absolutely conscious of what’s doable and what they will do. Allow them to make their very own resolution. Each nation tries to grab any alternative to its personal profit. De-escalation is (to) the good thing about India, an even bigger position on the worldwide stage will profit India, engagement of India in West Asia is on their profit. And India additionally has good relations with Israel, with Iran, with totally different Gulf states, so it’s an excellent alternative for India.
On the upcoming BRICS summit in Russia, do you assume that’s one thing the Indian and Iranian leaders are going to debate?
We had been engaged on the assembly of our President and PM Modi in New York however due to the logistical subject, we couldn’t organize that. We are actually engaged on the assembly of each leaders on the sidelines of BRICS and we hope will probably be fruitful for each nations.
What’s the state of India-Iran bilateral ties in all facets, together with commerce and the collaboration on Chabahar port?
Moreover our commonalities and shared heritage, India and Iran are pure companions. We really feel that each nations ought to now elevate the relations to a strategic stage. In Iran, we contemplate India as an influence of Asia, as a rising energy on the planet, as an vital nation on the planet, and an excellent and dependable companion for Iran. And on the similar time, we consider that Iran may be dependable and has been a dependable companion for India in numerous components.
So we must always mobilise all alternatives to strengthen the connection for the good thing about each nations. Chabahar is only one undertaking, India must diversify its routes to the worldwide market geographically. So Chabahar and Worldwide North–South Transport Hall are choices for India.
However are there any challenges in Chabahar?
In no way. Thankfully, the principle contract between Iran and India has been signed, and now each side are critically working to implement the 10-year settlement (signed in Might 2024). On the similar time, the Iranian aspect is working laborious to implement totally different tasks associated to Chabahar, principally connecting it to the Iranian nationwide railway community, which is crucial for activation of Chabahar.
Coming again to the battle, Iran had additionally attacked Israeli territory on October 1. What do it’s a must to say about Iran’s direct involvement within the conflict? Was that additionally retaliation?
There are some parallel tensions or clashes within the area: Israel-Hamas, Israel-Hezbollah and Iran-Israel. We didn’t begin the stress with Israel, we didn’t ignite it. It was Israel that violated Iranian sovereignty by assassinating Hamas chief (Ismail Haniyeh) in Iran; earlier, it was Israel that focused the Iranian embassy in Damascus.
Launching a missile was respectable in keeping with worldwide regulation and our inherent rights for self defence. However we hope that Israel has realized sufficient to not enter a brand new spherical of escalation, as a result of if it does something once more, we are going to retaliate, and this circle will proceed, which isn’t on the good thing about each side and the area. Many nations need the battle between Iran and Israel to go on, we must always disappoint them.
What concerning the Israeli hostages in Gaza?
That could be a humanitarian subject and never acceptable in any respect. Human beings need to be revered on both aspect. There needs to be no distinction between the blood of Jews or Muslims. It’s unusual to see the indifference of the world in the direction of hunger of infants in Gaza.
