The joint virtual session between the Iranian Institute for Political and International Studies(IPIS) and the Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses (IDSA) of India about the regional and international issues was held on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. The session was attended by Dr.Mohammad KazemSajjadpour, Deputy Minister of MOFA & President of IPIS; Mr. Majid Ghafelebashi, Research Deputy at the Center; Ahmad Sadeghi, President of South Asia Department; Ali khoshroo, Senior Expert at IPIS; Keyhan Barzegar and Mohsen Shariati Nia, University Professors; Mr.Sujan R. Chinoy, President of IDSA; Ashok K. Behuria and Mina Singh Roy, Top Researchers at IDSA. 

The session was held in the form of two panels, “Focus on the Middle East, Afghanistan and Developments in the Subcontinent”, and “Focus on Relations of India and China with the New US Administration.”

Here are the most important issues touched upon at the session:

Iran and India have wide relations in various political, economic and cultural sectors. Over the recent years, despite all obstacles, the relations have been advocated at all levels. The recent trip by the Iranian ministry of defense to New Delhi has opened a new chapter in the bilateral ties in defense and strategic areas.

The world today is undergoing fundamental changes and influenced by the corona pandemic. However, the priority of all states must be cooperation and economic development in the post-corona environment. In other words, all must make efforts to save the world economy and take necessary measures to prevent any similar future events.

Following the cold war, the American policy became aggressive toward West Asia. In this regard, we have witnessed the US presence in Iraq and Afghanistan under the pretext of countering terrorism. But has recently the US changed its roadmap in interaction with West Asia? During the Trump era the main policy was retreating from West Asia and focusing on East Asia. Also, the new US policy is legitimizing Israel in the region.

America’s unilateral measures have led this country to one after another defeat. In a way that the new U.S. administration has been trying to replace prior failed policies with multilaterism. These issues prove that Iran and India can expand their cooperation on all fronts such as regional cooperation.