NEW DELHI, 8 October 2005 — India said yesterday it hoped recent differences with old friend Iran over its nuclear program could be resolved through talks, two weeks after New Delhi opposed Tehran at a crucial UN nuclear watchdog vote.
Foreign Minister Natwar Singh said India had always taken a helpful stand on issues concerning Iran. “History is proof that contradictions are best resolved by engagement and dialogue... ,” Natwar said after launching a book titled “Iran Today: 25 Years after the Islamic Revolution.”
“Given the cultural links, the shared identity and security imperatives, our two countries have a responsibility to play a role in ensuring peace and prosperity in the region and the world at large,” Natwar said. Ties between India and Iran soured after New Delhi, in a diplomatic surprise, joined the United States last month in voting to refer Tehran’s nuclear program to the United Nations Security Council for possible sanctions.
Analysts said the vote was largely influenced by India’s growing friendship with the United States and the need to safeguard a landmark India-US deal signed in July to boost New Delhi’s own civilian nuclear energy program. The vote stunned Tehran which threatened to use trade to punish nations that opposed it at the vote, including energy-hungry India which depends on Iran for its oil and gas needs. But those threats were subsequently toned down.
Indian officials said New Delhi was looking to mediate between Iran on the one hand and the European Union and the United States on the other to resolve the crisis ahead of another vote at the International Atomic Energy Agency in November to send Tehran to the UN Security Council. They said Iran had to be convinced to return to the Paris Agreement, a November 2004 deal with France, Britain and Germany under which Tehran had suspended uranium conversion.
Talks under the deal collapsed in August after Iran restarted uranium conversion. Washington and the EU say Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons but Tehran insists its nuclear program is dedicated solely to generating electricity.
