Sun Dec 28 18:38:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article rewrite based on the provided text:
Summary:
As Iran and India celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations, Ambassador Mohammad Fathali argues that the time is ripe to transform their historical goodwill into a strong, forward-looking alliance. He emphasizes their shared cultural heritage, particularly the influence of Persian culture in India, and highlights modern strategic convergences: India’s need for Iranian energy resources, the mutual benefit of the Chabahar port for regional connectivity (as part of INSTC), and shared concerns about regional security threats like extremism. He acknowledges past challenges and the influence of third-party pressures, but suggests closer financial cooperation and diversification into technology and science industries will lead to a more resilient and mutually beneficial partnership that promotes regional stability.
News Article:
Iran and India Poised for Stronger Alliance After 75 Years of Diplomatic Ties
New Delhi – As Iran and India mark 75 years of diplomatic relations, Iranian Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, calls for a bold, forward-looking alliance, emphasizing the strong historical and cultural ties between the two nations. In an op-ed published in The Hindu December 29th, 2025, Fathali highlights the strategic alignment emerging from India’s growing energy needs and Iran’s substantial hydrocarbon reserves.
He also underscores the significance of the Chabahar Port, a joint development project that forms a crucial part of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), offering a shorter and more cost-effective trade route to Russia and Europe. “This corridor is approximately 40% shorter and 30% more cost-efficient when compared to the traditional Suez Canal route, granting both countries a competitive advantage in Eurasian trade”
Beyond economic cooperation, Ambassador Fathali notes that both countries share concerns regarding regional security, particularly the threat of extremism and terrorism, facilitating intelligence cooperation. He acknowledges the challenges posed by external pressures in the past and stresses the need for strengthened financial mechanisms, such as trade in local currencies, to mitigate vulnerability.
Looking ahead, the Ambassador proposes diversifying cooperation into knowledge-based industries, information technology, nanotechnology, and medical sciences. “Such collaboration can transform the relationship from transactional to innovation-driven, benefiting both societies”
Fathali believes that this revitalized partnership will not only boost prosperity in both nations but also contribute significantly to stability in West Asia, solidifying a bond that transcends mere diplomacy and embraces their shared civilizational heritage. The ambassador concludes “Iran and India may rightly be described as one soul in two bodies — united by history, enriched by culture, and positioned by geography to complement one another.”
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