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{{Infobox bilateral relations|India–Iran|Iran|India|filetype=svg
|mission1= Embassy of Iran, New Delhi
|mission2= Embassy of India, [[Tehran]]
|envoytitle1= [[List of ambassadors of Iran to India|Iranian Ambassador to India]]
|envoy1= [[Ali Chegeni]]
|envoytitle2= [[List of ambassadors of India to Iran|Indian Ambassador to Iran]]
|envoy2=[[Gaddam Dharmendra]]}}
[[File:Prime Minister Narendra Modi with President of Iran Hassan Rouhani.jpg|260px|thumb|Indian Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] seated with Iranian President [[Hassan Rouhani]], 2016]]

'''India–Iran relations''' ({{Lang-hi|भारत-ईरान संबंध}}; {{Lang-fa|روابط هند و ایران}}) are the bilateral relationship between the [[India|Republic of India]] and the [[Iran|Islamic Republic of Iran]]. Independent India and Iran established diplomatic relations on 15 March 1950, however ties between both ancient Persia and ancient India date back millennia. During much of the [[Cold War]], relations between India and the erstwhile [[Pahlavi Iran|Imperial State of Iran]] suffered due to their differing political interests: India endorsed a [[Non-Aligned Movement|non-aligned]] position but fostered strong links with the [[Soviet Union]], while Iran was an open member of the [[Western Bloc]] and enjoyed close ties with the United States.<ref>{{cite book
|last = Nanda
|first = Prakash
|title = Rising India: Friends and Foes
|year = 2007
|publisher = Lancer Publishers, 2008
|isbn = 9780979617416}}</ref> While India did not welcome the [[Iranian Revolution|1979 Islamic Revolution]], relations between the two states strengthened momentarily in its aftermath. However, Iran's continued support for [[Pakistan]] in the [[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts|India–Pakistan conflict]] and India's close relations with [[Ba'athist Iraq|Iraq]] during the [[Iran–Iraq War]] greatly strained bilateral ties.<ref name=Hunter>{{cite book
|last = Hunter
|first = Shireen
|title = Iran's foreign policy in the post-Soviet era: resisting the new international order
|year = 2010
|publisher = ABC-CLIO, 2010
|isbn = 9780313381942}}</ref> In the 1990s, both India and Iran supported the [[Northern Alliance]] against the [[Taliban]] in [[Afghanistan conflict (1978–present)|Afghanistan]], the latter of which received overt Pakistani backing and [[Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996–2001)|ruled most of the country]] until the [[United States invasion of Afghanistan|2001 United States-led invasion]]. They continued to collaborate in supporting the [[Islamic Republic of Afghanistan|broad-based anti-Taliban government]], led by [[Ashraf Ghani]] and backed by the international community, until the [[Fall of Kabul (2021)|Taliban captured Kabul in 2021]] and re-established the [[Afghanistan|Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan]]. India and Iran signed a defence cooperation agreement in December 2002.<ref name="auto">{{cite journal|last=Zeb|first=Rizwan|title=The emerging Indo-Iranian strategic alliance and Pakistan|journal=CACI Analyst|url=http://www.cacianalyst.org/publications/analytical-articles/item/7799-analytical-articles-caci-analyst-2003-2-12-art-7799.html|access-date=21 August 2013}}</ref>

From an economic perspective, Iran is the second-largest supplier of [[Petroleum|crude oil]] to India, supplying more than 425,000 barrels per day; consequently, India is one of the largest foreign investors in [[Petroleum industry in Iran|Iran's oil and gas industry]].<ref name="TT">{{cite web|url=http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=196222|title=Iran's major oil customers, energy partners|website=tehrantimes.com|access-date=13 July 2017}}</ref> In 2011, the [[United States dollar|US$]]12 billion-worth annual oil trade between India and Iran was halted due to [[Sanctions against Iran|extensive economic sanctions against Iran]], forcing the [[Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas|Indian oil ministry]] to pay off debt through a banking system via [[Turkey]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203513204576046893652486616|title=India Joins U.S. Effort to Stifle Iran Trade|access-date=1 January 2011|publisher=Wall Street Journal magazine|first1=Jay|last1=Solomon|first2=Subhadip|last2=Sircar}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hQbys47ss-vDEVrM78fS8Vu5VQ1g?docId=CNG.baf6915241b5315c221d1e92332ab1a6.11|title=India paid $5 bn Iran oil debt in full: central bank, AFP, 4 September 2011|website=google.com|access-date=13 July 2017}}</ref>

From a geopolitical perspective, despite the two countries having some common strategic interests, India and Iran differ significantly on key foreign policy issues. India has [[List of United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning Iran|expressed strong opposition]] to [[Nuclear program of Iran|Iran's nuclear program]] and while both nations continue to oppose the [[Taliban]], India supported the presence of [[International Security Assistance Force|NATO-led forces in Afghanistan]], unlike Iran.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mideast.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/09/24/indias_iran_calculus|title=India's Iran calculus|access-date=1 January 2011|publisher=[[Foreign Policy]] magazine|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225010516/https://foreignpolicy.com/2010/09/24/indias-iran-calculus/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

According to a World Service Poll conducted by ''[[BBC]]'' at the end of 2005, 71 percent of [[Iranian nationality law|Iranians]] viewed India's influence positively, with 21 percent viewing it negatively—the most favourable rating of India for any country in the world.<ref>[http://www.globescan.com/news_archives/bbc06-3/index.html BBC World Service Poll] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070118054125/http://www.globescan.com/news_archives/bbc06-3/index.html }} ''[[GlobeScan]]''</ref>

==History==
The [[Indian subcontinent]] and [[Iranian Plateau]] being adjacent geographical regions, [[Ancient India]] and [[Ancient Iran]] have had close relations dating back millennia. During the [[Middle Ages]], there was fusion of [[Indo-Persian culture|medieval Persian culture in India]], especially since the [[Delhi Sultanate]] till the period of [[Mughal Empire|Mughal Hindustan]]. In modern age, after the [[Partition of India]] in 1947, the [[Dominion of India|newly independent India]] was no longer a neighboring country to the [[Pahlavi Iran|State of Iran]], although the relations between both the nations still remained healthy.

==Current relations==
[[File:Mrpfpindiraghandi.jpg|thumb|Empress [[Farah Pahlavi]] and Emperor [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]] met India's Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi]] during a state visit to India in 1970.]]
[[File:Iranian Navy Band playing the Indian National Anthem during a ceremonial parade.jpg|thumb|The Iranian Navy Band playing the Indian National Anthem during a ceremonial parade at Bandar-e-Abbas port; 28 August 2015]]

India and Iran have friendly relations in many areas, despite India not welcoming the 1979 Revolution. There are significant trade ties, particularly in crude oil imports into India and diesel exports to Iran. Iran frequently objected to Pakistan's attempts to draft anti-India resolutions at international organisations such as the [[OIC]] and the [[Human Rights Commission]].<ref>[http://icwa.in/pdfs/IB_IndiaIran.pdf Indian Council of World Affairs(ICWA): Iran-India Relations: Exploring Co-operation in Challenging Times] Retrieved 6 August 2010</ref> India welcomed Iran's inclusion as an observer state in the [[SAARC]] regional organisation.
A growing number of Iranian students are enrolled at universities in India, most notably in [[Pune]] and [[Bengaluru]]. The clerical government in Tehran sees itself as a leader of [[Shiites]] worldwide, including India. Indian Shiites enjoy state support such as a recognised national holiday for [[Muharram]]. [[Lucknow]] continues to be a major centre of Shiite culture and Persian study in the subcontinent.

In the 1990s, India and Iran supported the [[Northern Alliance]] in Afghanistan against the [[Taliban regime]]. They continue to collaborate in supporting the abroad-based anti-Taliban government led by [[Ashraf Ghani]] and backed by the United States. The two countries signed a defence cooperation agreement in December 2002.<ref name="auto"/>

In 2010, Iran's [[Supreme Leader]], [[Ayatollah]] [[Ali Khamenei]], appealed to Muslims worldwide to back the freedom struggle in [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]]. India in turn, summoned the acting Iranian ambassador in New Delhi to lodge a formal protest.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/india/twice-in-7-days-iran-talks-of-oppressed-kashmir/articleshow/59454492.cms|title=Twice in seven-day, Iran talk of oppressed Kashmiri|access-date=5 July 2017|work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/irans-supreme-leader-khamenei-rakes-up-kashmir-bogey-twice-in-two-weeks-1022519-2017-07-05|title=Iran's supreme leader Khamenei rakes up Kashmir bogey twice in two weeks|access-date=5 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://thewire.in/diplomacy/iran-khamenei-kashmir|title=For the First Time in Seven Years, Ayatollah Khamenei Rakes Up Kashmir|access-date=27 June 2017|publisher=The wire}}</ref>

In August 2013, while carrying oil in the [[Persian Gulf]], Iran detained India's largest ocean liner [[Shipping Corporation of India|Shipping Corporation]] (SCI)'s vessel MT Desh Shanti carrying crude oil from Iraq.<ref name=":0"/> Iran was resolute, and insisted the detention of the tanker was "a technical and non-political issue".<ref>{{Cite news|title=Indian ship detention purely a technical issue: Iran|url= http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indian-ship-detention-purely-a-technical-issue-iran/article5029740.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=18 August 2013|location=Chennai, India}}</ref>

On 22 May 2016, Prime minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Iran.<ref>[http://www.gatewayhouse.in/india-iran-and-greater-west-asia/India, Iran, and greater West Asia]. Retrieved 22 May 2016</ref> The visit focused on bilateral connectivity and infrastructure, an energy partnership, and trade.<ref name="tet1">{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/india-to-sign-contract-on-chabahar-port-during-pm-narendra-modis-iran-visit/articleshow/52359198.cms|title=India to sign contract on Chabahar port during PM Narendra Modi's Iran visit|newspaper=The Economic Times |access-date=2016-05-20}}</ref>

Just before Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]]'s visit to Israel in July 2017, [[Iran's Supreme Leader]] [[Ayatollah Khamenei]], urged the Muslims in [[Kashmir]] to 'repudiate oppressors'.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/as-modi-embraces-israel-irans-ayatollah-khamenei-urges-support-for-oppressed-muslims-of-kashmir/articleshow/59455486.cms|title=As Modi embraces Israel, Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei urges support for "oppressed Muslims" of Kashmir|last=TIMESOFINDIA.COM|access-date=13 July 2017|newspaper=The Economic Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/world/irans-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-urges-muslims-in-kashmir-to-repudiate-oppressors-3747153.html|title=Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urges Muslims in Kashmir to 'repudiate oppressors'|website=firstpost.com|access-date=13 July 2017}}</ref>

==Economic relations==
{{See also|Iran–Pakistan gas pipeline}}
Iran's trade with India exceeded US$13 billion in 2007, an 80% increase in trade volume within a year.{{citation needed}}
Via third party countries such as UAE this figure reaches $30 billion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/iran-seeks-investmentindia-wants-direct-bilateral-trade/70822/on |title= |website=www.business-standard.com |access-date=14 August 2009}}{{SemiBareRefNeedsTitle}}</ref>

=== Oil and gas ===
In 2008–09, Iranian oil accounted for nearly 16.5% of India's crude oil imports.{{citation needed}} Indian oil imports from Iran increased by 9.5% in 2008–09 due to which Iran emerged as India's second largest oil supplier.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/companyNews/idUKSP39539720090507 India buys more Iran, less Saudi crude oil in '08/09], Reuters, 7 May 2009</ref> About 40% of the refined oil consumed by India is imported from Iran.<ref>[http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0718/p25s05-usfp.html Does US road to better relations with Iran pass through India?], ''Christian Science Monitor'', 18 July 2009</ref> In June 2009, Indian oil companies announced their plan to invest US$5 billion in developing an Iranian gas field in the Persian Gulf.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India-Business/OVL-IOC-OIL-to-invest-5bn-in-Iran-gas-field-/articleshow/4701018.cms OVL, IOC, OIL to invest $5bn in Iran gas field], ''Times of India'', 25 June 2009</ref> In September 2009, the Mehr news agency reported a Pakistani diplomat as saying "India definitely quitted the IPI (India-Pakistan-Iran) gas pipeline deal",<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/business/international-business/India-has-quit-Iran-gas-pipeline-deal-Report/articleshow/4980241.cms |work=The Times of India |title=India has quit Iran gas pipeline deal: Report |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090910043533/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/business/international-business/India-has-quit-Iran-gas-pipeline-deal-Report/articleshow/4980241.cms|archive-date=10 September 2009}}</ref> in favour of the [[India–United States Civil Nuclear Agreement]] for energy security.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.energytribune.com/articles.cfm?aid=1557 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603182717/http://www.energytribune.com/articles.cfm?aid=1557 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-06-03 |title=The Iran-Pakistan-India Pipeline…Delayed (Again) |work=Energy Tribune |access-date=2012-09-08}}</ref> Iranian officials however said India is yet to make an official declaration.<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com" /> In 2010, US officials warned New Delhi that Indian companies using the [[Asian Clearing Union]] for financial transactions with Iran run the risk of violating a recent US law that bans international firms from doing business with Iranian banks and [[Tehran]]'s oil and gas sector, and that Indian companies dealing with Iran in this manner may be barred from the US.<ref name="Wall Street Journal">{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203513204576046893652486616?mod=WSJASIA_newsreel_business|work=The Wall Street Journal|title=India Joins U.S. Effort to Stifle Iran Trade |first1=Jay|last1=Solomon|first2=Subhadip|last2=Sircar}}</ref> The United States criticises the ACU of being insufficiently transparent in its financial dealings with [[Iran]] and suspects that much of their assets are funnelled to blacklisted organisations in Iran such as the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]].<ref name="Wall Street Journal" /> The [[United States Department of the Treasury]] also believes that Iran uses the ACU to bypass the US banking system.<ref name="Wall Street Journal" /> On 27 November 2010, the [[Indian government]], through the [[Reserve Bank of India]], instructed the country's lenders to stop processing current-account transactions with Iran using the [[Asian Clearing Union]],<ref name="Wall Street Journal" /> and that further deals should be settled without ACU involvement.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stockmarketsreview.com/reports/indian_stock_market_daily_morning_report_20101228_75028/|title=Indian stock market daily morning report (December 28, 2010, Tuesday)|work=Stock Markets Review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231013007/http://www.stockmarketsreview.com/reports/indian_stock_market_daily_morning_report_20101228_75028|archive-date=31 December 2010}}</ref> RBI also declared that they will not facilitate payments for Iranian crude imports as global pressure on Tehran grows over its nuclear programme.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/RBI-stifles-Iran-oil-imports-says-wont-clear-payments/articleshow/7160542.cms#ixzz19TZ9pnbt|work=The Times of India |title=RBI stifles Iran oil imports, says won't clear payments}}</ref> This move by the Indian government will make clear to Indian companies that working through the ACU "doesn't necessarily mean an Iranian counterpart has an international seal of approval". As of December 2010, neither Iran nor the ACU have responded to this development.<ref name="Wall Street Journal" /> India objected to further American sanctions on Iran in 2010. An Indian foreign policy strategist, Rajiv Sikri, dismissed the idea that a nuclear armed Iran was a threat to India, and said that India would continue to invest in Iran and do business.<ref>{{cite news |title=In India, Few Takers For Tighter Iran Sanctions|author=Corey Flintoff |publisher=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128685206|access-date=9 March 2011}}</ref> Despite increased pressure by the US and Europe, and a significant reduction in oil imports from Persian oil fields in 2012, leading political figures in India have clearly stated that they are not willing to stop trade relations altogether. To the contrary, they aim at expanding the commodity trade with the Islamic republic.<ref>S. Mehdudia (March 2013). [http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/indianot-to-halt-imports-from-iran/article4562004.ece "India not to halt imports from Iran".] ''The Hindu''</ref>

=== Renewed increase in oil imports ===
While overall, India's total volume of imported crude has only been rising slightly from 3.2 million b/d in 2009–10 to 3.44 million b/d in 2012–13, imports from Iran have basically been fluctuating around 250,000 b/d from 2012 to 2013 and thus rising proportionally due to a halt for Iranian exports to Europe.<ref>[http://rhg.com/interactive/iran-oil-desk Iran Oil Desk] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201034926/http://rhg.com/interactive/iran-oil-desk }} [[Rhodium Group]]. Retrieved 6 November 2013</ref> The recent detainment of an Indian tanker by Iranian officials is unrelated to the oil embargo,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|title = Iran detains Indian tanker carrying crude, wants undertaking|date = 15 August 2013|url = http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/iran-detains-indian-tanker-carrying-crude-wants-undertaking/article5025621.ece|newspaper = The Hindu|access-date = 15 August 2013|location=Chennai, India|first=Atul|last=Aneja}}</ref> but in an effort to save over US$8.5 billion in hard currency, and realising a 180-day waiver from US sanctions, India plans to increase Iranian imports by 11 million tons for 2014, in addition to the two million tons of crude oil shipped from Iran by June 2013, up 21.1% from last year.{{citation needed}}

On 18 March 2022, Iran's ambassador to India was quoted as stating that the country is ready to meet India's energy security demands, as talks between world powers and Tehran for the removal of sanctions against the OPEC member continue.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iran ready to meet India's energy needs, Tehran envoy tells New Delhi |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/iran-ready-meet-indias-energy-needs-tehran-envoy-tells-new-delhi-2022-03-18/ |access-date=28 March 2022 |work=Reuters |agency=Reuters |publisher=Reuters }}</ref>

=== Iran's Nuclear Interests ===
India, despite close relations and convergence of interests with Iran, voted against Iran in the [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] in 2005, which took Iran by surprise. A "welcoming prospect" [[Ali Larijani]] was reported as saying: "India was our friend".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/sep/28guest2.htm |title=India was our friend |work=Rediff.com |access-date=2012-09-08}}</ref>
[[Stephen Rademaker]] also acknowledged that India's votes against Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency were "coerced":<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/07/feb/1214.html|title=India's anti-Iran votes were coerced, says former US official|website=www.payvand.com|access-date=13 July 2017}}</ref>

<blockquote>"The best illustration of this is the two votes India cast against Iran at the IAEA. I am the first person to admit that the votes were coerced." </blockquote>

The USA considers support from India – which is on 35-member board of Governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency – crucial in getting a sizeable majority for its proposal to refer the matter to the [[Security Council]] for positive punitive action against Iran. Greg Schulte, US ambassador to the IAEA, said "''India's voice will carry particular weight...I hope India joins us in making clear our collective concerns about Iran's nuclear program''". Schulte did not deny that the [[Indo-US nuclear deal]] was conditional to India supporting the US on the Iran issue. Appraising of the situation vis-a-vis Iran, a senior US official told the [[New York Times]] that ''The Indians are emerging from their non-aligned status and becoming a global power, and they have to begin to think about their responsibilities. They have to make a basic choice.''.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2005-09-20/us/27845046_1_nuclear-deal-security-council-35-member-board | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517111500/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2005-09-20/us/27845046_1_nuclear-deal-security-council-35-member-board | url-status=dead | archive-date=17 May 2012 | first1=Chidanand | last1=Rajghatta | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=US-India nuclear deal under Iran gun | date=20 September 2005}}</ref> The Bush administration, however, recognized India's close relations with Iran and tempered its position, stating that India can "go ahead with a pipeline deal involving Iran and Pakistan. Our beef is with Iran, not the pipeline".

===Infrastructure===
A highway between [[Zaranj]] and [[Delaram]] (Zaranj-Delaram Highway) is being built with financial support from India.<ref>Pajhwok Afghan News, [http://www.pajhwok.com/viewstory.asp?lng=eng&id=44657 100-km road asphalted in Nimroz with Indian assistance]</ref> The [[Chabahar]] port has also been jointly financed by Iran and India. India alone plans to invest 20 Billion US dollars towards development of Chabahar port.<ref>[http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=222664 India push for Iran's key port development] Tehran Times – 6 July 2010</ref> India is helping develop the Chabahar Port, which will give it access to the oil and gas resources in Iran and the Central Asian states. By so doing, India hopes to compete with the Chinese, who are building Gwadar Port, in Pakistan's Balochistan. Iran plans to use Chabahar for trans-shipment to Afghanistan and Central Asia, while keeping the port of [[Bandar Abbas]] as a major hub mainly for trade with Russia and Europe. India, Iran and Afghanistan have signed an agreement to give Indian goods, heading for Central Asia and Afghanistan, preferential treatment and tariff reductions at Chabahar.

Work on the Chabahar-Milak-Zaranj-Delaram route from Iran to Afghanistan is in progress. Iran is, with Indian aid, upgrading the Chabahar-Milak road and constructing a bridge on the route to Zaranj. India's BRO is laying the 213 km Zaranj-Delaram road. It is a part of India's US$750 million aid package to Afghanistan. The Chabahar port project is Iran's chance to end its US-sponsored economic isolation and benefit from the resurgent Indian economy. Along with Bandar Abbas, Chabahar is the Iranian entrepot on the north–south corridor. A strategic partnership between India, Iran and Russia is intended to establish a multi-modal transport link connecting Mumbai with St Petersburg, providing Europe and the former Soviet republics of Central Asia access to Asia and vice versa.

====North-South Transport Corridor====

{{Further|North-South Transport Corridor}}

[[File:North South Transport Corridor (NSTC).jpg|thumb|right|200px|North South Transport Corridor route via India, [[Iran]], [[Azerbaijan]] and Russia]]

The North–South Transport Corridor is the [[ship transport|ship]], [[railways|rail]], and [[road transport|road]] route for moving freight between India, Russia, [[Iran]], Europe, the [[Caucasus]], and Central Asia. The route primarily involves moving [[freight]] from India, [[Iran]], [[Azerbaijan]] and Russia via ship, rail and road.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/despite-us-opposition-iran-to-be-transport-hub-for-northsouth-corridor/article3473943.ece |title=Despite U.S. opposition, Iran to be transport hub for North-South Corridor |work=The Hindu |access-date=11 April 2015}}</ref> The objective of the corridor is to increase [[Trade|trade connectivity]] between major cities such as [[Mumbai]], Moscow, [[Tehran]], [[Baku]], [[Bandar Abbas]], [[Astrakhan]], [[Bandar Anzali]], etc.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://in.rbth.com/articles/2012/11/29/north-south_transport_corridor_offers_many_opportunities_for_indo-ru_19421.html |title=Transport Corridor offers many opportunities for Indo-Russian trade |work=Russia & India Report |access-date=11 April 2015 |archive-date=13 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413103852/http://in.rbth.com/articles/2012/11/29/north-south_transport_corridor_offers_many_opportunities_for_indo-ru_19421.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Dry run (testing)|Dry run]]s of two routes were conducted in 2014, the first was Mumbai to Baku via Bandar Abbas and the second was Mumbai to Astrakhan via Bandar Abbas, Tehran and Bandar Anzali. The objective of the study was to identify and address key [[Traffic bottleneck|bottleneck]]s.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/government-press-release/dry-run-study-of-instc-trade-route-115032000589_1.html |title=Dry Run Study of INSTC Trade Route |work=Business Standard|access-date=11 April 2015}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/lead-article-iran-deal-spells-good-tidings-for-india/article7085906.ece |title=Iran deal spells good tidings for India |work=The Hindu |access-date=11 April 2015}}</ref> The results showed [[Cost of transport|transport costs]] were reduced by "$2,500 per 15 tons of cargo".<ref name="auto2"/> Other routes under consideration include via [[Armenia]], [[Kazakhstan]] and [[Turkmenistan]].

===Education===
There are about 8,000 Iranian students studying in India. India provides 67 scholarships every year to Iranian students under ITEC, ICCR, Colombo Plan and IOR-ARC schemes. Every year around 40,000 Iranians visit India for various purposes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irna.ir/en/News/81006985/Politic/Iran,_India_relations_span_centuries_marked_by_meaningful_interactions |title= |website=www.irna.ir |access-date=6 January 2013}}{{SemiBareRefNeedsTitle}}</ref>

[[Kendriya Vidyalaya Tehran]], the Embassy of India School, serves Indian citizens living in Tehran.

===Religion===
{{further|Zoroastrianism in India}}
The world's largest population of [[Zoroastrian]]s are the [[Parsi]] community in India. During the Arab conquest of Persia, many Zoroastrians moved to the western coast of India and as a result the country has the largest population of Zoroastrians in the world. In the modern era, the Parsi community have contributed significantly to India in the areas of politics, industry, science and culture. Prominent Indian Parsis include [[Dadabhai Naoroji]] (three times president of [[Indian National Congress]]), Harman Abrawan [[Sam Manekshaw]], nuclear energy scientist [[Homi J. Bhabha|Homi Bhabha]], industrialist [[JRD Tata]] and the [[Tata family]]. The rock star [[Freddie Mercury]] (lead singer of the band [[Queen (rock band)|Queen]]) was an Indian Parsi born in [[Zanzibar]]. [[Zubin Mehta]], a conductor of Western classical music orchestras, is also a Parsi originally from Mumbai.

==See also==
{{Portal|India|Iran}}
* [[Foreign Relations of Iran]]
* [[Foreign relations of India]]
* [[Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline]]
* [[Ibn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicine and Sciences]]
* [[Indo-Persian culture]]
* [[Buddhism in Iran]]
* [[Hinduism in Iran]]
* [[Zoroastrianism in India]]
* [[Irani (India)|Irani]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*Chopra, R.M. ''Indo-Iranian Cultural Relations through the Ages''. published by Iran Society, Kolkata.
*Chopra, R.M. ''Indo-Iranian Cultural Relations in the 20th century''. Indo-Iranica Vol.57 (1–4)
*Clawson, Patrick. (2005). ''Eternal Iran: Continuity and Chaos''. {{ISBN|1-4039-6276-6}}. 2005. MacMillan.
* {{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia= Encyclopædia Iranica |year= 2004 |author=Multiple authors |article=India | url = http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/india}} (series of entries that cover Indian history and its relations with Iran)
*[[Nikki R. Keddie|Keddie, Nikki]]; Matthee, Rudolph P. (ed.). (2002). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=CdzFJIE7f5oC Iran and the Surrounding World: Interactions in Culture and Cultural Politics]''. University of Washington Press. {{ISBN|0-295-98206-3}}.
*Tikku, G.L. (1971). ''Persian poetry in Kashmir 1339–1846.'' {{ISBN|0-520-09312-7}}
*Section on Persian literature in India: [[Jan Rypka]], January (1968). ''History of Iranian Literature''. Reidel Publishing Company. {{OCLC|460598}}. {{ISBN|90-277-0143-1}}
*Chopra, R.M., "The Rise Growth And Decline of Indo-Persian Literature", 2012, published by Iran Culture House, New Delhi and Iran Society, Kolkata. 2nd Edition published in 2013.
*Maini,T.S., Sachdeva, S. ''[http://www.indrastra.com/2017/09/What-Does-Iran-s-Changing-Foreign-Policy-Mean-for-India-003-09-2017-0024.html What Does Iran’s Changing Foreign Policy Mean for India?]'', IndraStra Global Vol. 003, Issue No: 09 (2017), Article No: 0024, ISSN 2381-3652
*{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/india-ix-relations-qajar-period-early-20th-century |title=INDIA ix. RELATIONS: QAJAR PERIOD, EARLY 20TH CENTURY|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Iranica |volume=XIII |pages=34–44 }}
*{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/india-viii-relations-qajar-period-the-19th-century|title=INDIA viii. RELATIONS: QAJAR PERIOD, THE 19TH CENTURY|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Iranica |volume=XIII |pages=26–32 }}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160316052619/http://www.indianembassy-tehran.ir/ Official Embassy of India, Tehran]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050426175609/http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1296048,001301700001.htm US concerns not to sway India-Iran relations]
*[http://pd.cpim.org/2005/0918/09182005_prakash.htm India-Iran Relations Cannot Be Hostage To US] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205224458/http://pd.cpim.org/2005/0918/09182005_prakash.htm }}
*[http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/publication/18176/indiairanian_relations.html?breadcrumb=%2F India-Iran Relations: Key Security Implications]

{{Foreign relations of India}}
{{Foreign relations of Iran}}

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[[Category:India–Iran relations| ]]
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[[Category:Bilateral relations of Iran]]

India–Iran relations - Revision history

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	==See also==		==See also==
	~~{{Portal\|India\|Iran}}~~
	* [[Foreign Relations of Iran]]		* [[Foreign Relations of Iran]]
	* [[Foreign relations of India]]		* [[Foreign relations of India]]