National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visits Iran

Tehran – National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited Iran on Monday. During Doval’s visit, economic, political and security issues were discussed with Iran’s National Security Advisers. Iran has repeatedly appealed that India should start buying fuel from Iran along the lines of Russia despite the sanctions of the United States and Western countries. At the same time, continuous efforts are being made to implement the Chhabar port project developed by India in Iran, increasing connectivity with Central Asian countries. Meanwhile, the importance of the visit has increased as a senior Indian official visited Iran for the first time after the reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

On Monday, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Iran’s National Security Advisor Ali Shamkhani. On this occasion, the National Security Advisers of both countries had extensive discussions on various issues from the current geopolitical situation, according to the official news agency of the Government of Iran. Doval discussed various international and important regional developments and economic, political and security issues with Shamkhani. After this, National Security Adviser Doval met Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and discussed extensively, the Iranian news agency said.

In the wake of developments in the past few weeks, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s visit has gained importance. A month ago, China reconciled Saudi Arabia and Iran. India has friendly relations with both of these countries. India is buying fuel from Saudi and Iran. At the same time, India is also making efforts to increase trade with both countries. Claims were being made that China, which successfully mediates between Saudi Arabia and Iran, would increase its influence on Iran. But Iran had already made it clear that India is important to it and these developments will not affect its relations with India. After the reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia, a senior Indian official visited Iran for the first time.

Moreover, Chabahar Port is a matter of priority in bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The port is strategically important to both India and Iran. It is claimed that the importance of the Gwadar port built by China in Pakistan has ended due to the port India built for Iran. There were reports that China is also using the Chabahar port. This port has created a new way to reach Afghanistan and Central Asian countries, excluding Pakistan.

Two weeks ago, a meeting was held between India and Central Asian countries regarding using the Chabahar port. It was decided to increase communication and trade through this port. Last month, Iran’s ambassador Iraj Elahi said that India and Iran would benefit greatly once the Chhabar port project is fully implemented. Elahi had said that this port would become a ‘transit hub’ and that the project should be looked at from an economic point of view.

India currently holds the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation-SCO. A meeting of SCO foreign ministers is being held in Goa next week. In this meeting, Iran will be included as a member of SCO. In this background, the importance of Doval’s visit has increased.

Meanwhile, while National Security Advisor Doval was visiting Iran, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muralitharan, entered Saudi Arabia on a five-day visit. It is said that the meeting will discuss the enhancement of strategic partnership between the two countries. Saudi Arabia is helping India to evacuate Indians safely in the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Saudi will be thanked for that too.

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