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February 10, 2006

India's Dilemma on the Iran Nuclear Issue

India faced a difficult decision with regards to its policy toward the current impasse over Iran's nuclear program. The stakes were high for New Delhi during the IAEA Board of Governors meeting, as it balanced a number of external pressures and internal debates over what its final decision would be regarding the referral of Iran to the Security Council. Its ultimate decision to vote for the resolution came as a surprise to many.

While India maintained that it would not bow to outside pressure from the United States on the Iran issue, it was clear that abstaining or voting against the resolution before the board would have jeopardized support for the proposed U.S.-India nuclear deal currently being debated in the US Congress.[1] Tensions over U.S. pressure rose when U.S. ambassador to India David Mulford warned that, if India voted against sending the Iran issue to the Security Council, the landmark nuclear cooperation pact could be in trouble. Outraged at Mulford's comments, a senior Indian official said, "We cannot vote with the U.S. after his comments. We're planning to abstain."[2] In an attempt to downplay the ambassador's comments, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said, "Ultimately, how India votes on this matter is going to be a decision of the Indian government. They voted to find Iran in non-compliance the last time around and we certainly would encourage and hope that they vote for referral this time around."[3] McCormack's statement appeared to temper the diplomatic uproar and India's Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee commented that, "We are reviewing the situation and we will articulate our stand at the appropriate time." Prime Minister Manmohan Singh noted, however, that India would not be pressured into taking a stand on Iran: "We will do what is right for the country. India's national interest is the prime concern whether it is domestic or foreign policy."[4]

Although concerns over U.S.-Indian relations may have played a role in New Delhi's ultimate decision to vote in favor of the resolution, reports suggest that India was primarily swayed by the solidarity of the P-5 on the issue--the rare consensus among these nations was an important factor in the Indian decision. According to diplomatic sources, India--which had earlier expressed opposition to referring Iran to the Security Council--began to lean toward supporting the draft resolution after China and Russia joined the January 30, 2006, P-5/EU-3 statement supporting referral.[5]

A vote for the resolution raised harsh criticism from the Indian political left, especially the two communist parties which are important partners in Prime Minister Singh's coalition government.[6] New Delhi's earlier decision to find Iran in non-compliance at the Board of Governors meeting in September of 2005 enraged the left, which heavily criticized the Singh administration for acting against a fellow member of the Non-Aligned Movement.[7] Likewise, New Delhi has received harsh criticism from Iran since the vote. After the IAEA board decision on February 4, the Iranian government asserted that Indian is "playing into the hands of the U.S." India responded that it hopes to maintain "close and friendly ties" with Tehran and supports its right to civilian nuclear energy.[8]


[1]"What P-5 Vote Means for India," Hindustan Times. February 1, 2006.
[2] Reuters, "India Says It Will Abstain in Iran Nuclear Vote," International Herald Tribune, January 30, 2006, http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/01/30/news/india.php.
[3] "India summons U.S. envoy over Iran," BBC News, January 26, 2006, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4649742.stm.
[4] "India Still Weighing Options Ahead of Iran Vote," AFP, January 31, 2006, http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060131/wl_sthasia_afp/indiairannuclearpolitics_060131091435
[5] "Nations Gather Support for Reporting Iran," George Jahn, Associated Press. February 2, 2006.
[6]"Top scientist says nuclear deal with U.S. could compromise India's strategic interests," The Hindu. February 8, 2006. http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200602081642.htm.
[7] http://www.zmag.org/content/print_article.cfm?itemID=9625&sectionID=66.
[8] "Shia cleric blasts India's Iran vote," Indo-Asian News Service. February 6, 2006.


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