Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s profound sorrow and shock marked his message of condolence following the tragic demise of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. India stands united with Iran in this moment of grief, as expressed by the Prime Minister on Twitter.
In the aftermath of Sunday’s helicopter crash in the Dizmar forest, President Raisi and other high-ranking officials, including Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, lost their lives.
External Affairs Minister expressed his heartfelt condolences, describing the incident as deeply distressing. Raisi’s election as President in 2021 positioned him as a potential successor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Prime Minister Modi’s last meeting with President Raisi occurred in August 2023, prior to the summit in Johannesburg. India has consistently supported Tehran’s bid to join BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), which Iran successfully achieved during the South Africa summit in September 2023.
India and Iran share deep-rooted historical and cultural ties. India has fostered cordial relations with regional nations, including Iran, which borders Pakistan. Bilateral trade has flourished since Raisi’s election in 2021. In 2022-23, Iran ranked as India’s 59th largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $2.33 billion, a 21.77% increase from the previous year.
India considers Iran a stabilizing force in the Persian Gulf, and military and security cooperation between the two nations is on the rise. Experts believe that despite Raisi’s passing, the broader contours of Iran’s foreign policy, determined by the Supreme Leader, are not expected to shift significantly.
India was among the select nations invited to President Raisi’s oath-taking ceremony in August 2021. Iranian experts suggest that Raisi’s death will not substantially alter the status quo, as the Supreme Leader holds ultimate authority over foreign policy.
Under Raisi’s leadership, Iran pursued a ‘look east’ strategy, strengthening ties with Asian powers like India. Progress on regional connectivity projects involving India, particularly the INSTC and Chabahar port, underscores Iran’s strategic approach to its relations with India.
The INSTC, or International North-South Transport Corridor, is a 7,200-km multi-mode network route facilitating freight movement between India, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia, and Europe. The Chabahar Port Deal, signed between India and Iran in May 2023, is a significant milestone that will enhance connectivity with Afghanistan.
Prime Minister Modi hailed the Chabahar Port pact as a testament to their expanding partnership. India has prioritized the development of Chabahar Port, initially through a trilateral agreement with Iran and Afghanistan in 2016.
While the death of President Raisi and the foreign minister may temporarily delay certain decisions, the ultimate authority rests with the Supreme Leader. The Iranian constitution designates the first vice president to assume the presidency in the event of the president’s demise. Iran’s incumbent first vice president, Mohammad Mokhber, has been appointed interim president following the approval of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.
