Helping the country to protect its core interests amid the United States-led sanctions that have for long crippled its economy, Iran’s accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) demonstrates Tehran’s commitment to Asian multilateralism.
Iran signed a memorandum on joining the SCO on September 16 during the summit in Samarkand, joining the security bloc, the largest regional body in the world in terms of population governed. This bloc is thriving as a multi-polar body and it is not west-centric, reported the Policy Research Group (POREG). Under Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khomeini and Iran’s President, Ebrahim Raisi’s administration, Iran’s policy has been increasingly demonstrating that it is anchored in the East and not the West. To put the writing on the wall, Khomeini had once said, “We prefer the East to the West and neighbouring countries to remote ones.”
The SCO accession is seen as a positive step forward for Iran rather than a diplomatic triumph for the country, which has long been battered by western sanctions, giving a blow to its economy. Iran can lead the way in emerging as a key partner for India and other Asian nations, especially through the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
The INSTC corridor connects Asia with Europe and helps Asian nations by providing connectivity and helping countries become economic hubs. With this, it is safe to say that Iran is providing SCO members with secure and stable transport routes and is committed to further infrastructure development, reported POREG.
India’s connectivity with the Central Asian region and Europe can be propelled via Chabahar Port. On June 10, Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made an announcement that India and Iran had agreed upon further investments in the Chabahar Port. This move is perceived as a very significant one. In another area of cooperation, Iran and India have also agreed upon banking mechanisms for the facilitation of trade. What remains a near possibility is trading in Indian currency. If Chabahar’s infrastructure and capacity are accentuated the trade volumes through the INSTC corridor will increase the trade between India and Russia as well. It is pertinent to note that India and Russia have had a low volume of trade despite their friendly relationship. It is because of the limitation in connectivity and logistics. However, the emergence of Chabahar Port is providing a solution. Now in a positive outlook, the route now provides a 40 pc reduction in transport time and a 30 pc cut in logistical costs. This is integral to Iran’s long-term strategy for mitigating and bypassing the impact of the United States-led sanctions that have long crippled its economy and constricted its strategic leverage, reported POREG.
