A provisional deal has been concluded between Iran and western powers led by the US. The deal restricts Iran’s nuclear programme and prevents it from making nuclear weapons. That will be accompanied by a phased lifting of sanctions which have devastated Iran’s economy. The new Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani asked for a resumption of talks in 2013. President Barack Obama and Rouhani had a conversation on the telephone the next month. An interim deal was put through in November 2013. But there were miles to go. The P5+1 have now to be engaged in the nitty-gritty so that a final agreement can be arrived at by June 30. Iran has to be given time to overcome all threats to the deal and stay away from enrichment of fissile material to make nuclear weapons. The conflict between Washington and Tehran dates back to 1979. The final deal may throw a new complexion on the West Asian scenario. The ISIS has already put Washington and Tehran on the same side. But the conflicts in Yemen and Syria will not be resolved so rapidly. Rouhani has opponents in his country led by Ayatollah Khomeini and so has Obama with the Republicans in Congress putting up obstacles. The Arab allies of the US and Israel are dead against it. Israel has already started lobbying against the deal.
India has welcomed the framework deal which is a sensible move. It would pave the way for opening diplomatic space for India in West Asia. Iran means a lot to India for its energy and security concerns. It is one of the largest suppliers of oil to India. If the sanctions are lifted, India can find a sizeable market for its products in Iran. The bridge to be built with Iran will help India dig its heels in turbulent Afghanistan. It may be a good idea if Prime Minister Narendra Modi puts Tehran on his global itinerary.
