CHAPTER III .....

IRAN'S RELATIONS WITH THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT

The Islamic Republic of Iran's relations with the Indian

subcontinent may be divided into two periods: 1979-84 and 1984-

90. The first period was characterized by militant enthusiasm

and intimidation and the second period, by contrast, has seen

a greater emphasis on Iran's own situation stemming from the

sta1emate in the war and Iran's need to escape from a form of

self-inflicted isolation. 1 ·

Relations between Iran and the Indian subcontinent in the

early '80s had been dictated solely by revolutionary hardline

which presumed that Iran's attitude towards the world is

dictated by a policy of "Neither East nor West 11, only

Islamic republic. 2 To begin with the military origin of

President Zia's rule had been a red flag to Iran. President·

Zia's claim to Islamic foreign policy might have been the

object of scorn, given common observations that Islam· had been

a mere veneer attached to policies of realpolitik, born out of

an unforgiving geopolitical predicament. 3

1. Shahram Chubin, · " Iran and the Persian Gulf States 11, in

David Menashri, ed., The Iranian Revolution and the Muslim World (Westview Special Studies on the Middle East, Soulder, 1990), p.73.

2. Iranian Revolution : Future Paths of the Nations (The Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, 1985), p.101.

3. Shireen T. Hunter, 11 In search of an Identity Islam and Pakistan's Foreign Policy" in Adeed Dawisha, ed., Islam in Foreign Policy (Cambr1dge Up, New York, 1983), pp.66-83. Hasan-Askari Rizvi, "Pakistan: Ideology and Foreign Policy 11 Asian Affairs (London) , vol. 10, Spring 1983, pp.48-59; Zia himself illustrated the point, "The Fundamental aim of Pakistan's foreign policy is to safeguard the national integrity and security of the Country to ensure ... the well bein9 of the l?eople according to the I$lamic ideology; from Pak1stan Affa1rs, 1 March 1986. p.3.

107

IRAN AND PAKISTAN

From 1979 to 1990 relations between Iran and Pakistan

appeared to have been uniformly friendly. The close and warm

ties between the two countries have been expressed through

Islamic brotherhood, a: common he·r'i tage, faith, deep cultural

ties, economic and common ethnological affinities.

The challenge and demands of regional politics such as

Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, Iraqi' invasion of Iran

in 1980 and hostage crisis brought Iran and Pakis-tan 'more

close. It was here that Iran's vital security interests were

involved and her own peace and well being was affected. In an

extensive interview with Pakistan Television, President Abolhasan

Banisadr of Iran impressed upon the need for mutual cooperation

between Iran and Pakistan for the ·preservation of their

integrity. He also declared that the two Islamic territorial

countries should extend their mutual · cooperation and

understanding. 4 Meanwhile, Banisadr also said "both Pakistan

and Iran should work hard for safeguarding their territorial

independence and they should be absolutely independent of the

two superpowers' control and Western imperialist lobby". 5

4. Dawn April 10, 1980.

5. Ibid.

108

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979 not only

posed a threat to the existence of the Islamic Republic of Iran

but it also made Pakistan look for arms from the USA, the

sworn enemy of Iran. Iran's relations with the two

superpowers were governed · not only by consideration of regime .,

and national security 1 but also by the response of the mass

towards those two countries. Undoubtedly, both USSR and USA were

considered as threat to Iranian society. Soviet Iranian

relations were governed not only by the antagonistic ideologies

pursued by the two regimes but also by the traditional fear of ..

Russian expansion and its capacity to destabilize Iran by

supporting the ethnic and ideological groups that were opposing

the present regime. 6 The events in Afghanistan heightened that

perception. In addition to this, the United States reasserted

Pakistan as an ally immediately in the wake of the Soviet

invasion of Afghanistan. Iran was opposed to Pakistan's move

towards the USA. It.also created suspicion in Iran that the USA

was out to drag Pakistan once again into a new military alliance

making nonsense of all its non-aligned pretensions, Americans

had their own strategic compulsions. After the collapse of

the Shah's regime and success of the Islamic revolution in

6. A.H.H. Abidi, "Soviet Attitude Towards the Islamic Republic of Iran", Problems of Non-Alianment (New Delhi), vol. 10, no.3, September 1983 pp.227-42.

109

Iran, this country had broken the link with the encirclement of

the Soviet Union. Since then, the US had been on the look out

to find a country which could play this role. They found one in

Pakistan I .

which is strategically important and agreed to do the

US hidding. Again, after loss of Iran, Pakistan was the only

country in the region with the military power and technical

expertise to fit into the over all. US plan for a strategic

consensus in West Asia to defend the Gulf. 7 There were also

indications that the new Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) Would rely

on logistic help from Pakistan. 8 In 1982 a package of $ 3. 2

billion in civil and military aid for five years was allotted by

the US congress followed by a new five year package of $ 4.02 bn

in 1987. 9

Washington, however, could not succeed in

destabilizing Iran through Pakistan mainly because American

reliability and determination was dubious. Pakistan was able to

convince Iran regarding the intention of acquiring sophisticated

weapons from the USA, Pakistan Foreign Minister Sahabzada Yaqub

7. Jamal Rasheed, "Pakistan Replaces Iran in Washington Strategy", Amrita Bazar Patrika (Calcutta), 27 June 1981.

8. R.C. Sharma, Indian Foreign Policy: Annual Survey 1981 (Sterling Pub, New Delhi, 1985), pp.127-28.

9. Oliver Roy, "The Lessons of the Soviet and Afghanistan War", Adelphi Papers (IISS, Brassey's), Summer 1991, p.39.

110

Kahn, told the Iranian News Agency (!RNA) in Tehran that

"Pakistan's purchase of arms and military supplies from the

United States should not be misunderstood between Pakistan and

US" .10

Iraqi's invasion of Iran in September 1980 also played an

important role in Iran's relations with Pakis.tan. · During its war

with Iraq, Iran found itself isolated. Almost the entire Arab

world with the exception of Syria and to some extent Algeria and

Libya, was pro-Iraq. The United States and Soviet Union had

shown sympathy for Iraq. At this critical juncture, Pakistan

comported by emphasizing on relations with the Islamic Republic

of Iran as a reliable friend in the Indian subcontinent.

During the visit to Tehran in February 1981, the Foreign

Minister of Pakistan, Agha Shahi, assured the Iranian leader.s

that "Pakistan is deeply committed to the political

independence and territorial integrity of Iran and against any

external interference in Iran's internal affairs.". 11 Strict

neutrality was however, given up in 1986 when after the Iranian

President Syed Ali Khamenei' s visit to Pakistan. Zia in an

interview with Iranian News Agency accused Iraq of aggression

10. See Chronology, Pakistan Horizon (Karachi), vol. XXXV, no.4, Quartely 4, September-November 1982, p_.149.

11. Business Records, 6 February 1981.

111

against Iran. At the same time, Zia condemned Iraq for using

chemical weapons which was appreciated by the Iranian leaders. 12

Pakistan's moral support to the · Islamic Republic of Iran

helped the latter overcome to some extent the internal political

sit.uation as well as the diplomatic isolation in the

international political arena. It was generally thought by

outsiders at the time that the whole Iranian Islamic revolution ·•

was about to crumble·. The Iraqi invasion occurred at a moment

when the post revolution internal political situation ·in Iran

was in its nascent stage and the regime urider Imam Ayatollah

Khomeini was pre-occupied with consolidating its position in the

country. Fighting between two countries had begun after Iran

ignored Iraqi demands for the withdrawal of Iranian forces from

Zain-ul-Qos in Diali province on the border between the two

countries. Iraq maintained that this territory should have

been returned to Iraq under the 1975 agreement wit.h Iran.

Iraq, therefore abrogated the 1975 Shat-ul-Arab Agreement and

invaded Iran. The war began on 22 September 19-80 with a large

scale air attack on ten military airfields in Iran. 1 3

12. Surendra Chopra, Thrust in the Muslim World: India as a Factor A Studv of RCD (Deep & Deep Publications, New Delhi, 1992) 1 PP• 79-80.

13. SBI, 11 August 1984.

112

Apart from this, Iran's international isolation necessitated

good relations with Pakistan. Ayatollah Khomeini acknowledged

Iran's isolation, when he said, "we have no more friends than can

be counted on the fingers of one hand". 14

One of the major causes of Iran's isolation was the

hostage crisis. The prolonged hostage crisis did more than

destroy the prospects of normalization of Iran's relations with

the United States. It isolated Iran in the international system

in general and estranged it from the West in particular. The

estrangement of Iran from the united state was intensified as

a result of American-economic and diplomatic .sanctions against

Iran. President Carter's imposition of a ban on US imports of

Iranian oil on 12 November 1979 and of a freeze on $ 8 billion of

Iranian assets were subsequently followed by · such other

measures as the American break of diplomatic relations with

Iran, the ban on all American exports to Iran and on all

American imports from Iran·. In the meantime, the West European

decision to impose phased economic and diplomatic sanctions

against Iran seemed half-hearted. The European countries and

Britain had larger· stakes in Iran compared to the United

14. The Middle East and North Africa 1987. Thirty Third Edition (Europa Publications Limited, London, 1987), SBI, 11 August 1984.

States, but the fact still remains that their symbolic actions

antagonized Iran. Inspite of that Iran did not relent . 15

Pakistan announced that it. would not be a party to any economic

sanctions. This shall be discussed in the fourth chapter in

detail.

Religion also played an important role in determining

relations between Iran and Pakistan despite the sectarian .-. . ·~

-tension and differences in the perception of foreign policy. It

was, however, not likely that Iran would allow the development c.; •.. !..

of serious fissures in its relations with Pakistan~ This

concern was evident during.the Iranian Foreign 'Minister's visit

to Pakistan in 1982. This was significant for the symbolic sup-

port extended by Iran to Pakistan on its policy of Islamic unity

in the midst of the sectarian tension. 16 For example, the

Shi'i protest against the imposition of Zakat17 was the first

point of tension. The proclamation of Zakat tax on wealth and

ushr tax on agricultural produce in 1979-80 brought the Shi' i

protest to a head. Shi'is maintained that Zakat should be paid

15. R.K. Ramazani, "Khomeini's Islam in Iran's .Foreign Policy," in Adeed Dawisha, ed., Islam in Foreiqn Policy (Cambridge University Press, New York, 1983), p.13

16. Business Records, 18,September 1980.

17. Tax on agricultural produce is five per cent according to the Jafari Fiqh, whereas all four Sunni schools of fiqh set the rate at ten per cent.

114

on a voluntary basis and that rate of tax on agriculture produce

was lower according to the Jafari fiqh. Moreover, the Shi' is

maintained that Islamic taxes should properly be paid to repre-

sentatives of the Shi' i Imam and not to the states. The

government had ordered deduction of Zakat at the rate of two and

a· half percent from all bank accounts on June 30, 1980. This

brought the .Shi' i' s out in the streets, particularly in

Islamabad, where over 100,000 people completely blocked all

traffic to the ministries for three days in July 1980.

Demonstrators even threatened to occupy the ministries.

Pre-~ident Zia had no choice but to negotiate ·with the Shi' i

leaders and finally gave the Shi' is the option of claiming the

deducted Zakat· money back and paying their Zakat as well as ushr

on a voluntary basis through Shi'i communal organizations.

Relations between Sunnis and Shi'is remained bederilled in

Pakistan. The Sunni ulama, who had their vision of an Islamic

Pakistan within an Islamic group, believed that the government

had been far too lenient with the Shi'is, and that it had

essentially submitted to Shi'i blackmail: They were

particularly angered by a side effect of the government's

decision to allow the Shi'is to claim their deducted Zakat money

18. Munir D. Ahmed, "Shi'i~ of Pakistan" in Martin Kramer, ed., Shi' ism Resistance and Revolution (Westview Press, London 1987), p.283.

115

back. The number of persons who filed such claims was

considerably higher than the supposed number of Shi' i account

holders in the country. Some Sunni divines repeatedly demanded -

a ban on Shi'i publications containing malicious material

against the companions of the Holy Prophet. ~ 8 They also

de1mand.ed that all muharrum celebrations of the Shi' is,

particularly the Ashur a procession, during which self-

flagellating Shi'is parade through city streets, should -be

banned. The Sunni-Shi' i street violence of 1983 in Karachi

resulted in fatalities, arson damage, and hundreds of

arrests. Because of sectarian tensions in Karachi, · Allama

Arif Husayn chose to hold the protest demonstration in Quetta.

Local authorities there banned a public procession. When

demonstrators defied the ban and poured into the streets from

their meeting place, clashes ensued with the police. Both

sides were armed. Nearly 30 people died in the

confrontation.19 Prominent Shi' i leaders were immediately

detained among them was Al1ama Arif Husayn. Only two weeks

before the Quet ta incident, the government had come to an

agreement with a faction of Shi'i under Sayyid Hamid Ali Shah

Musavi, which provided for the appointment of a committee

composed of cabinet ministers and religious scholars of all

19. Ibid. p.285.

116

schools, to look into shii demands. But Allama Arif Husayn

and his followers rejected the proposal. In its composition,

the committee would also include Sunni ulama. Many Shi' i

members felt that their demands concerned fundamental religious

principles, implementation of which could not be made subject

to S~nni appro~a1. 20 Iran regretted the violence. Iran claimed

that the strife was the result of imperia~ist intrigue, and

Iranian envoy visited Pakistan to distribute a fatwa by Khomeini

on the need for Sunni-Shi'i unity. 21

In 1986 when Iran's President Ali Khamenei arrived in

Islamabad the welcomers were mostly Shi'itc muslims who chanted

"Death to America", America is the enemy of Islam" and

whoever is a friend of America is the enemy of Islam". Even

some people kissed Khamenei' s car when it was mobbed by a

crowd and stopped briefly on its way out of the airport area.

Thousands of / people lining the road from Islamabad airport

cheered as Khamenei was driven fast to state guest house. 22

The pledge of non- interference between Iran and Pakistan

was also tested on July 8, 1987 when "highly trained" pro-

Khomeini commandos used rockets, incendiary bombs, and machine

guns to carry out attacks in Karachi and Quetta against Iranian

20. International Herald Tribune (Paris), 1 March 26-27, 1983.

21. Ahmed, n.18, p.284

117

exile members of the Mujaheddin-e-Khalq. At least three people

were killed and dozens wounded. To defuse the issue, Iran's

Deputy Foreign Minister, Javad Larijani, was dispatched to

Pakistan in order to make known "Iran's firm stand on Pakistan's

sovereignty 11 which meant 11 it will neither support nor endorse the

activity of any Iranian citizen which is detrimental to law and

order in Pakistan". From. its part, Pakistan assured Iran that

"no Iranian national or dissident would be permitted to indulge

in any activity that was directed against the government of the

Islamic Republic of Iran". Pakistan insisted that it had not

given refugee status to any Iranian group or individuals,

although thousands had been tacitly allowed to "temporar~ly

visit 11• The border agreement of 1987 solved the problem of

secret passage of unauthorized persons. 23 Pakistan maintained

its stern balance in early 1988 as it quietly deported thirty . . '. '-

Iranians detained in connection with the previous armed attack ., . ~ ,_,

ignoring vigorous protests from Iranian visitors about

discrimination.24

The objectives of both Iran and Pakistan to establish

Islamic system also provided firm basis for strengthening

22. Patriot, 15 January 1986.

23. Dawn Overseas Weekly, 16 July 1987, Also see, 24 July 1987.

FBIS/NESA,

24. Notes in Pakistan Horizon (Karachi}, vol. 41, no.2, April 1988, p.131.

118

traditional friendly relations. Mohammed Ganjidoost Charges d'

Affairs of Iran in Pakistan, said that Pakistan and Iran were

bound together by inseparable ties of Islamic brotherhood. 25

He further added that the two countries were destined to play

an important role in the establishment of just and equitable

order in human society on the basis of Quran and Sunnah. He

concluded:· 11 The Islamic revolution of Iran was founded on the

principles of Holy Quran. It could not compromise on the Quranic

principles at any cost 11•26 He described the revolution in Iran

as un paralfel in contemporary human history and also said that

Iran was determined to make one welfare state where there will

be no exploitation, no illiteracy and poverty. In addition to

this, Ganjidoost said, 11 the Iranian people were keen to

develop greater political, economic and cultural relations with

Pakistan 11•27

Meanwhile, Pakistan started to take all possible initiatives

··to make its relations firm ip. unison with the Islamic Republic

of Iran. Pakistan's Foreign Minister declared that both Iran .. \ .

and Pakistan had been struggling to· set up Islamic system which

had provided a strong foundation for close mutual relations.

25. The Muslim (Islambad), 23 March 1981.

26. Ibid.

27. Ibid.

119

He also expressed the view that the strengthening of relations

would not only benefit the two countries but would also help in

solving the problems which were being faced by this region. 28

There had been significant improvement in existing

relations between Iran and Pakistan. Iran was reported to have

agreed to reschedule its 580-million dollar loan to Pakistan,

given in 1974 and to be repaid in equal six-monthly

installments after a three-year grace period. According to the

new arrangements the grace period was extended to five years

and the number of installments would now begin in early

1980. 29 . In return, in the meantime, Iran sought technical

assistance from Pakistan for maintenance of Iran Air Fleet with

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) help. In this

connection an Iran Air team led by its Managing Director

visited Pakistan and held discussion with PIA Chairman and

other officials. H9wever,

necessary support wherever

capabilities. More than

in principle PIA agreed to provide

possible within the scope of its

that the two airlines decided to

explore the economic

subsidiary. 30

feasibility of

28. Business Recorder, 31 March 1982.

29. The Muslim, 12 October 1974.

30. Khyber Mail, 6 May 1980.

120

setting up a cargo. as a

Iran stepped up efforts to expand the area of bilateral

relations with Pakistan. In October 1981, a nine-member

official delegation comprising high officiats from various

ministries including Finance, Commerce and Agriculture arrived

in Islamabad from Tehran on a six-day visit.3 1 This

delegation was headed by Hossein Lavasani, Additional

Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During its stay in

Islamabad the Iranian delegation called on the· Finance Minister

and visited the railway carriage factory in Islamabad and the

Heavy Mechanical Complex. Meanwhile the members of the trade

group of the visiting delegation met TCP (Tradinding Corporation

of Pakistan) Chairman, Aftab Ahmad and other senior officials of

the Trading corporation. This was followed by a series of top

level exchanges between the two countries. 32

The visit of the new Iranian Foreign Minister, Dr. Ali

Akbar Velayati, to Pak1stan in the first week of April 1982 laid

a solid foundation for new bilateral relationship between Iran

and Pakistan. His visit gave further _impression of Iran's

strengthen the mutual bonds. Velayati said that

relations between his country and Pakistan have been good for

long time and also still strong healthy and good. 33 In the

31. Dawn, October 28, 1981.

32. Ibid.

33. Business Records, 2 April 1982.

121

meantime reciprocating the sentiments of cordiality expressed

by Sahabzada Yaqub Khan, Velayati described Pakistan as his

"second home". 34

The visit of Velayati to Pakistan provided a firm

base for strengthening traditional friendly ties between the two

countries. In an oral· statement Velayati said "we hope that

political, commercial, cultural, social and industrial relations

between the two countries will expand with the passage of each

day". The two sides explained to each other the framework of

their respective foreign policies. Both countries found that

their foreign policies were based on the principles of Islamic

solidarity, non-alignment and strengthening of ties with the

neighbouring countries. 35 This was noted at the extensive

talks held during the visit. At the same time, the two sides

explained their respective position on the Afghan problem. Both - . ).

Iran and Pakistan agreed that the Afghan issue should be settled

in an honourable WC!-Y. 3 6 A Memorandum of Understandin$, was

signed between Iran and Pakistan in Islamabad on April 2,

1982 by the visiting Fcreign Minister Dr. Ali Akbar Velayati

and Yaqub Khan. This memorandum ensured the implementation of

34. Ibid.

35. Ibid.

36. Ibid.

122

all the decisions arrived at the talks during the· two days in the

field of economic and trade cooperation between the two

countries. It covered consular and educational matters. Both

sides also agreed that greater economic and cultural exchange

could contribute to the promotion of understanding and

friendship between their countries and peoples. Besides, they

emphasized the need for adherence to the ·principles of non­

interference in internal affairs as a basis for developing

friendly relations between Muslim countries. 37

It was on

Pakistan started

this occasion that relations between Iran and

to consolidate. Sahabzada Yaqub Khan said that

the talks between the officials and Foreign Ministers of the

two countries which had taken place during the last two days

would further strengthen the ·relations between Iran and

Pakistan. He said : n I am glad to say that in every sphere

the talks had been extremely useful and identity of views exists

on many points. Now .it was essential that these common view

points should be implemented with seriousness a~d vigour 11• The

visit of Sahabzada Yaqub Khan to Tehran towards the end of

November 1982, further boosted bilateral relations between Iran

and Pakistan. 38 During the visit he held extensive talks in

37. Morning News (Tehran), 3 April 1982.

38. Business Recorder, 2 April 1982

123

Tehran with Iranian Prime Minister, Hossein Mousavi, Syed Ali

Khameini, the President of Iran and his counter part Ali Akbar

Velayati the For~ign ·Minister. 39 A joint communique was issued

at the conclusion of Pakistan Foreign Minister Sahabzada Yaqub

Kahn's visit to Iran. The two countries ''reaffirmed" their re-

solve to expand collaboration in the economic, cultural and

technical fields and also stressed the coffi~on bonds of

religion, culture and history which are the abiding basis of

close relations between the two sides. 40

Iran's relations with Pakistan took further impetus

following Vel~yatis' visit to Islamabad in September 1983. This

was the second visit of Dr. Ali Akbar Velayati the Foreign

Minister to Pakistan within a year. This visit opened a "new

phase", in the already well established relations between Iran

and Pakistan. Amidst the vastly enlarged economic and

political understanding achieved by the visit, it led to

increasing trust and understanding between the two countries.

Dr. Ali Akbar Velayati left no room for doubt in the minds of

Pakistani leaders.· He said, "there were hardly any two

countries in the world who were as close and as similar as

39. See Chronology, Pakistan Horizon (Karachi), vol. XXXV, no.4, Quarterly September - November 1982, p.l49.

40. Ibid.

124

Pakistan and Iran".41

A notable effort was made on 14 April 1984 with the

signing of Memorandum of Understanding, between Iran and

Pakistan with regard to the relationship in the field of

economic and cultural cooperations. This marked an important

milestone in Iran Pakistan relations. Distinct areas

identified to expand and strengthen mutual relations based on

strong religious, cultural and historic ties between the two

count,ries. Earlier, on April 12, the Associated Press of

Pakistan (APP) and the Islamic Republic News Agency of Iran

( IRNA) sign~d a new agreement to consolidate and strengthen

their relations through exchanges of news. Under the

ag~eement, the two agencies would exchange news and photographs

and share experiences in improving their services. It was agreed ' ~ ' .....

at the meeting that there should be more frequent exchange.s of.

Radio and T.V. programmes between the two countries. This was

also instrumental in the further enlargement of Iran - Pakistan

cooperation, 42 The two sides also agreed on the exchanges of

jo'~:rnalists and visits of delegations of scholars. 43 The

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Raj a

41. Pakistan Times, 13 September 1983

42. Dawn, April 13, 1984

43. Ibid.

125

Mohammad Haq, said at Islamabad in April 1984, that mutual

cooperation between Iran and Pakistan would serve the interest of

common faith. 44

Iran's relations with Pakistan reached a new height in the

wake of the state visit of the Iranian President Hojjatuleslam

Syed Ali Khameinei in. January 1986. Pakistan and Gulf

Economist, in its editorial entitled "Iran's initiative", said

that no foreign dignitary was able to touch the chords of

Pakistan masses so effectively as President Khamenei. It also

said that the main thrust of President Khamenei's visit was the

idea of Islamic Common Wealth comprising Iran and Pakistan. 45

The visit was instrumental in the further enlargement of

Iran Pakistan cooperation especially in strengthening the

territorial integrity and security of the region. Pakistan was

the first country to be visited by the Iranian President Syed

Ali Khamenei, after his election. This was also the first

visit by a top foreign leader to Pakistan since the lifting

of Martial Law. Both Syed Aii Khamenei and General Zia-ul-Haq

reiterated their commitments to work for the stability of the

region and solidarity of the Islamic Ummah. They also

underlined the need to expand relations through economic

44. Ibid.

45. Pakistan & Gulf Economist pp.1-2

126

(Karachi), January 21-26, 1986

cooperation and increased trade and cultural exchanges. 46

This visit had distinctive features on which depended

further development· of friendly relations between the two

countries. Apart from indepth discussion on strengthening

bilateral relations, ·they also exchanged views on the regional

situation and international issues in a spirit of understanding

and unity. These included the Afghan problem, the Middle East

conflict, Lebanon, Palestine and other challenges facing the

Islamic ummah. 47 The two Presidents expressed satisfaction at

the cordial and fraternal relations that have traditionally

existed between Pakistan and Iran. 48 Syed Ali Khamenei also

called for putting -an end to the Sunni-Shi' i differences.

"These differences", he said, "were exacerbated and exploited by

imperialism and it was high time that ummah realized what was

patently divisive today was the creation of the eternal fo~s of

the ummah. He regarded Pak.:j.stan as a land which s·hares many

similarities of culture. He also paid tribute to Quaid- I-Azam

Mohammad Ali Jin~ah and Allama Iqbal. 49

Apart from this, the talks were also held between two

46. Pakistan Times, January 15, 1986.

47. Ibid.

48. Ibid.

49. Pakistan & Gulf Economist pp. 1-2.

127

(Karachi), January 21-26, 1986.

Foreign Ministers, Dr. Ali Akbar Velayati and Sahabzada Yaqub

Khan. This created its own impact and in a way helped to expand

and strengthen the areas of bilateral cooperation between two

countries. At the concluding rounds of talks held on 14 January

1986, the two Foreign Ministers discussed the reports which were

submitted by the three committees set up on 13 January to

expand further collaboration in the field of economic, cultural,

agricultural and rural development. These reports contained

specific recommendations to expand bilateral cooperation. Both

the ?oreign Ministers expresqed total satisfaction with the

outcome of the talks and hoped that the satisfactory

implementation of these recommendations would lay the

foundation

neighbours.

of broad

They

collaboration between the two fraternal

also ?igned a comprehensive programme of

cultural and educational exchanges to impart a new depth

and dimension to the existing friendly relations. 50

The frequent and continuous exchange of high level visits of

dignitaries of Iran to Pakistan served to further strengthen

Iran-Pakistan bilateral relations. The Iran-Pakistan Joint

Ministerial Commission which was established in 1986, provided a

useful institutional framework for the identification of areas

to promote economic and commercial cooperation between two

50. Pakistan Times, January 15, 1986.

128

countries. It also· periodically reviews and monitors the

implementation of various decisions taken in this regard by the

representatives of the two countries. 51 The Joint Ministerial

Commission provided a mechanism for broader cooperation in the

fields of industry, oil and gas, communications, manpower,

education, culture, science and technology, agriculture, rural

development, fisheries ·and natural resources. In order to

facilitate visits of citizens from both countries, the Joint

Ministerial Commission provided mechanism to facilitate their

customs formalities at t-he entry points. Besides, the

cultural relations between Pakistan and Iran were

institutionalised in 1956, with. the conclusion of a cultural

agreement, which has been periodically renewed with the signing

· of cultural exchange programmes. An exhibition of Iranian

handicrafts was organized in Pakistan, and a three- member team

of Iranian specialists in the fields of archaeol~gy an~ museum

visited Pakistan in September 1987. 52 Meanwhile, educational

cooperation between · the two countries is also a. part of the

broader Cult ural ·Cooperation Agreement. The agreement

envisaged cooperation ·between the universities of the two

countries exchange of professors and scholars, holding of

51. "Pakistan Films and Broadcasting

52. Ibid.

Iran Relations;• Published by Directorate of Publications, Ministry of Information and

Government of Pakistan, Islamabad 13-1-1991.

129

seminars, exhibitions and symposia and award of scholarships to

the students of the two countries. A chair of Urdu and Pakistan

Studies, created at Tehran university in 1956 was revived in

1987. Pakistan has reserved 48 seats for Iran under Technical

Assistance Programmes. Scholarships have

50 Iranian students during 1986-90. 53

also been granted to

A significant development was the formation of Iran

Pakistan Friendship Group in the Iranian Parliament. The Group

was formed in 1987. It has the largest number of any

parliamentary group. Likewise, a Pakistan-Iran Parliamentary

Group, with a proposed membership of over 100 MNAs, has been

established in the National Assembly of Pakistan.

membersh~p is 3o. 54

Its present

The new area of friendship and cooperation between Iran and

Pakistan in the fields of nuclear programme, defense and

military matters. Both Iran and Pakistan have signed secret

nuclear deal under which Iran is receiving technical help

including training of Iranian engineers in Pakistan. 55 In the

53. Ibid.

54. Ibid.

55. Louis Rene Beres, "Israel, Iran, and Prospects for Nuclear War in the Middle East," Strategic Review (Washington. D.C.), vol. XXI, no.2, Spring 1993, pp.52-53. Also See for details Jane's Defence Weekly, February 1992.

130

meantime the London Observer reported on 11 June 1988 that a

pact was signed at a secret meeting in Vienna between Reza

Amrollahi, the head of the Iranian Atomic energy organization,

and Munir Ahmad Khan, the Chairman of the Atomic Energy

commission sometime in 1987. As a result, six Iranian

nuclear experts were in Pakistan to receive advanced

training. Pakistan, however,denied vehemently th:'...s report

that it had concluded a secret agreement with Iran for exchange

of nuclear secrets for making bombs and training Iranian

scientists at its Kahuta Uranium Enrichment Facility. 56

Pakistan and Iran also revived their relationship 1n the

military field. Following the visit of the leader of the Iranian

defense ?elegation

Ali Shamkani said

the Minister for th~ Revolutionary Guards,

that Iran and Pakistan will collaborate in

forming an "Islamic defense line". He added that his visit to

Pakistan was the first politically charged development for

the Islamic Revolutionary Corps. 57 An agreement for setting

up a joint ministerial commission for expansion of cooperation

in the fields of military training and defense industry

56. "Secret Pak- Iran Talks on Nuclear Research;' IDSA (New

57.

Delhi) , News Review on West and Indian Ocean, vol. 21, no.2, February 1988, p.197; Times of India, January 13, 1988; Tribune, January 14, 1988.

Mushahid Hussain, "I ran Forges International (Washington D.C.),

131

New Links", 1988. p.9.

Middle East

between Iran and Pakistan was signed in Tehran on July 27,

1989. This agreement was signed at the end of a nine - day

visit from July 19 to 27 by Minister for Defense, Col (ret d)

Gulam Sarwar Cheema at the invitation of

Shamkhani. 58

Iranian, Ali

In March, 1990 Brig Gen. Shahbazi, Chief of. the Joint Staff

of the Armed Forces of fran, visited Pakistan at the head of a

high ranking military delegation. During his visit to Pakistan

Brig Gen. Shahbazi met Pakistan's President, Prime Minister,

Minister of State for Defence, the Commander of the Joint Staff

of Pakistan Armed Forces. He inspected military and arms

centres in Islamabad and Karachi . At the conclusion of his

visit to Pakistan he said that the two countries . can

complement each other as far as education and the defense

industry are concerned and that they can supply many of their

arms needs through projects. 59 In addition to this, in

September 1990, the 10- member command and staff college team

from the Islamic Republic of Iran visited the Frontier Force

Regimental Centre in Abbottabad. The del~gation members

witnessed training 1n progress. They showed keen interest in

the organization and training being conducted and also

witnessed the recruits carrying firing practice at the ranges.

58. The Muslim, 29 July 1989.

59. SWB, March 28, 1990.

132

Despite all the above stated mutual efforts and

understanding of the two countries, tension in Pakistan- Iran

relations were visible in 1987. This was due to violence

during the annual Haj day in which 402 people died and 649 were

injured. In this regard, the Pakistani, President General Zia-

ul-Haq, condemned the "subversive" acts of the Iranian regime in

Makka, Saudi Arabia.60 The commitment to Saundi stability is

part and parcel of Pakistan's concern for religion. This

feeling is especially strong in Pakistan where Muslim

nationalism is totally messed with religion as the raison d'eter

of the state. It is no secret that Saudi Arabia is considered to

be a special place by all Muslims. 61

Both Iran and Pakistan needed each other in this phase of

their relationship. The tense environment was short lived and

did not pull the two friends apart for long time. The

overriding factors in I ran' s concern regarding national

security and territorial integrity were Iran's relations with

Arab countries and the question of the safety of eastern

neighbour Pakistan. Ali Mohammad Besharati, Deputy . Foreign

60. Dawn, September 27, 1990.

61. See for details, Shirin Tahir-Kheli," In search of an Identity: Islam and Pakistani's Foreign Policy", in Adeed Dawisha' s. ed. , I salm in Foreign Pol icy ·(Westview Press, London, 1983), p.79.

133

Minister of Iran, said, "We consider the security of Pakistan

and will never tolerate any conspiracy against it". Besharati

who had arrived in August 1988 by a chartered plane, called on

President, Zia-ul-Haq and discussed with him matters relating

to the regional situation. He also delivered a message of the

Iranian President to Zia-ul-Haq about developments taking

place in the region and matters relating to pilateral

interests. 62 In the meantime, he added that Pakistan had

assured its full cooperation· to Iran in any field during the

post war period. In this regard, Besharati also said

"Pakistan could play an effective role in the region

because .... it has good relations with the Gulf countries". 63

Pakistan tried to make up for its military vulnerability

by developing a diplomatic option namely strengthening and

cementing relations with powerful Muslim states, such as Iran,

who could be depended upon in any future conflict with India.

Agha Shahi, former _Foreign Minister, said : "Pakistan is faced

with serious problems one of them being that it is situated

between two rising regional nuclear superpowers-India and

Israel". 64 This danger, he added, could be countered through

Islamic sentiments and geographic compulsions, but it was very

62. Pakistan Times, 12 August 1988

63. Ibid.

64. The Muslim, November 22, 1984

134

unfortunate that Islamic countries had not realized this danger

so far, and they were fighting with each other. He observed

that the creation of Islamic bloc was possible after the end of

Iran-Iraq war as this region had sufficient resources to defend

itself. 65

In Pakistan's pe~ception, India continued to remain the only

enemy which sought to weaken and neutralize Pakistan in the

subcontinent. From the outset, India has been the main pre-

occupation of Pakistan's foreign policy and it has become the

single factor of overriding consequence in her relations with

other countries, even to the extent that it elicited the

comment; "Karachi's foreig~ policy is framed in New Delhi,

because Pakistan does the opp~site of what India does". 66 A

Pakistani author, K.Sarwar Hasan, has summed up this attitude in

the following words :

"Rebert Schuman, former minister of France, once observed that since 1871 the foreign policy of his country had been continuously dominated by one main · pre-occupation, that of ensuring her security and indepen'dence · ·from her neighbour, Germany. Unfortunately, the foreign policy of Pakistan has in a similar manner been dominated by considerations ~f security and independence from its neighbour, India". 7

65. Ibid.

66. Kuldip Nayar, Distant Neighbours: A Tale of Subcontinent (New York, 1972) ,-p.80.

67. K. Sarwar Hasan, Pakistan and the United Nations 1960), p.50.

135

(New York,

Pakistan found Iran as reliable friend in tli.e Middle East

who could fulfill its ambitions. Pakistan backed Iran in its

war with Iraq particularly after 1986. As mentioned earlier,

Pakistan accused Iraq of aggression against Iran and condemned

Iraq for using chemical weapons on Iran. In the meantime, 0

Pakistan also gave moral support to Iran. The Pakistan Prime

Minister said that, "as a neighbo~1r and brother, Pakistan will

continue its endeavour to contribute towards defusing the

crisis". 68 This issue will be taken up for discussion in the

fourth chapter.

Pakistan continued to remain well disposed in its

relations with Iran. This was evident during the talks between

President Ghulam Ishaq Kahn and Ali Shamkhani Minister of the

Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, when the latter called on

the Pakistan President in January 1989. During the talks the

President proposed that Iran and Pakistan work jointly to

establish infrastructure which could facilitate greater and

close cooperation on a wider basis in the years ahead. 69 Apart

from this,at an international conference on Afghanistan held in

Teh:r_:-an in February 1989, Agha Shahi strongly advocated the

formation of "PIA" (a combination of Pakistan, Iran and Afghani-

68. See Chronology, Pakistan Horizon no.3, January-March 1987, p.141

69. Pakistan Times, January 22, 1989.

136

(Karachi) , vol . XV,

stan). The idea of a strategic entity comprising the "PIA"

countries and Turkey was first mooted by Chief of the Army

Staff of Pakistan, General Aslam Beg, soon after the death of

General Zia-ul-Haq. Beg repeated the idea several times even

after Benazir Bhutto became Prime Minister. As lam Beg, the

Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of Pakistan, and

his entourage were received by President Hashemi Rafsanjani on

19 February 1990. During the meeting which was attended by

Mohsen Razai, the Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards

Corps ( IRGC) , Aslam Beg said: "the two Muslim nations of Iran

and Pakistan can strengthen their Islamic traditions alongside

each other by creating a strong base". 70

There was also continuous exchange of visits by both

countries in order to foster better understanding among the

peoples. The President of Pakistan visited Iran in June, 1989 .to

at:tend the funeral of late .. Imam Khomeini. SubsequentJ.y, the . • •. ) j\

Pa~istani Federal Minister for Commerce headed a 47-member

delegation to attend the chehlum of the late Imam which was

greatly appreciated by the Iranians. 71

70. National Herald, (New Delhi)10 February'~-198.9. See Chronology,' The Iranian Journal of International Affairs (Tehran), vol. II, no. 2 & 3, Summer and Fall 1990 ~ p~485r; · SWB, Part 4, 21 February 1990.

71. See for details, "Pakistan - Iran Relations", Published by Directorate of Films & Publications Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad, 13-1-1991.

137

Iran and India

Iran's relations with India were also determined by

revolutionary hardline in the early '80s. In a statement in

1979, the Iranian Foreign Minister, Ibrahim Yazdi, said that if

India is interested in joining the RCD it must improve its

relations with Pakistan. 72 He added that "before the RCD can

be expanded these countries have to make efforts to reduce

tension on the India subcohtinent".

But, the quest for regime as well as national security led

Iran to improve its relations with India. As mentioned earlier,

the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Iraqi invasion of Iran,

hostage crisis and economic embargo by the west had posed a

serious threat to the existence of the Islamic. Republic of Iran.

·At this critical jucture, Iran emphasized on relations with

India as a true non aligned country. Bani Sadr, the

President of Iran, said, "India could play an important role in

protecting Afghanistan from foreign intervention". 73

72. An Interview to Impact International (London), 26 October-8 November 1979, also see The Hindu (Madras), 12 July 1979.

73. Hindustan Times, 29 February 1980

138

Iran turned to India for its political support to face

superpower influence in the region as well as economic embargo

by the West. Ali Akbar Velayati, the Foreign Minister, said

that strengthening of political relations between Iran and

India would ensure stability in the region and keep

superpower influence out of this". 74 In fact unlike Pakistan

and India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq, Iran and

the Soviet union, Iran has no territorial dispute with India. In

the meantime, they had a number of perceptional similarities in

terms of foreign policy as well as policy towards the Asia-

African countries. The new Iranian dispensation was well

disposed towards India as discussed earlier. 75

Iran regarded India as one of the important non-aligned

countries in the region who could challenge the West. Abolhasan

Bani-sadr, the President of Iran, said "India and Iran could

cooperate and help each other reversing the dependence on the

West". 76 India became a model in its struggle against

impe~ialism and colonialism. India looked upon itself and the

rest of the emergent Africa-Asia as a force for peace and not

74. Ibid., 2 May 1982.

75. V.P. Dutt, India's Foreign Policy (Vikas Publishing House New Delhi, 1984), p.338

76. Hindustan Times, 11 June 1980

139

as plaything and instrument of power politics in the hands of

great powers. Apart from this, India is also one of the most

advanced countries in the developing world having its own highly

developed atomic power project, space satellite programmes and

foreign investments in Africa, South Asia and elsewhere while

contributing its own technology and manufacturing skills. 77

India's progress in the field of agriculture, industry and

technology, space and oceanic research was well known. It has

developed its won technical know-how and intermediate

technology which is ideally suited for the rapid

industrialization of other developing countries. Indian

technologists are next only to that of Soviet union and the

United States. The country has already gained sufficient

experienc~. 78

A concrete step was taken with regard to strengthening

areas of bilateral relationship with India during the visit of

Iranian Commerce Minister, Reza Sadr, to India, _at the head of a

high level delegation in June 1980. This was the first big

delegation sent out by Iran after the revolution Reza Sadr said,

"Iran had chosen to send the delegation to India· not by accident

but by design" . The high-level visiting delegation included

77. P.G. Salvi, India in World Affairs Corporations, Delhi, 1985) p.1-6.

78. Ibid.

140

(B.R. Publishing

seven deputy ministers dealing with various economic subjects.

This mission also had a meeting with the Engineering Export

Promotion Council and visited certain industrial units

manufacturing tractors, diesel engines and electronic motors.

The delegation kept an open mind and tried to identify the

areas where it could safely depend on supplies from Indian

source. Massoud the Deputy Minister of Industries ·and Mines,

said that, "delegation was looking around for new source of

supply for components and raw materials. It would also welcome

technical know-how for setting up. small scale industries". 79 In

this regard, the visiting delegation identified a number of

sectors where Indian collaboration might be needed for the

implementation of Ir~n's developmental plans. These ranged

from Indian consultency arrangements to the employment of Indian

technical personnel for training schemes in Iran. Indian

consultancy service have been acceptable to Iran since the mid-

60s. At the same time, Iran also presented a long list of

items ranging from food to cement, drugs and spare parts. It -.....

also specified exhaustively the list of goods and services that

Iran was willing to procure from India. 80 In the· meantime,

India also expressed its desire to expand the area of

79. Indian Express, 10 June 1980.

80. Hindustan Times, 16 June 1980.

141

collaboration with Iran. Pranab Mukerj ee, the then minister

for commerce and steel and mines, said II India was not a

participant in the economic blockade of Iran. It pursued a

policy of having better cooperation in economic, industrical

and technological fields." 81

In return, Iran assured India to continue supply of oil in

future. Although Iran proposed to cut down its oil production

from six million barrels to about three million barrels a day,

of that it needed one million barrels for domestic

consumption. Regarding India, Ali Akbar Moinfar, Oil Minister,

said that India is high on our priority list for oil supplies

and will always get special consideration. He also said that

because of our good relations with our Indian friends, we kept

a reasonable amount (five million tones) for India this year. 82

There was a arked shift in Iran's policy and attitude . ; .·;,: .. ~. I

towards India particularly after 1980. Ali Akbar Velayati, the

Foreign Minister of Iran, said in an interview on 11_ february

with Pakistan's mass circulated Urdu daily Jang, that his country

was prepared to mediate between India and Pakistan on Kashmir.

In the meantime he also praised Pakistan's offer of a no war

81. Ibid.

82. Times of India, ·1 March 1980.

142

pact to India. 83 Iran's offer of mediation can be interpreted

only as a goodwill gesture on its part. Iran's gesture

nevertheless goes

had been able to

to prove

build in

the extent of friendly image it

the subcontinent, despite Iran's

close links with ·Pakistan. The offer was also a manifestation

of Iran's policy based not on a total commitment either to

India or to Pakistan but "6n the idea of promoting peace and

tranquility in the subcontinent". 84

A major breakthrough was achieved in the Indo-Iranian

bilateral relations with the .visit of the Foreign Minister, Ali

Akbar Velayati, to India towards the end of April 1982. 85 His

visit to India proved to be a genui~e starting point of fruitful

cooperation between India and Iran. Velayat said that India and

Iran had agreed on the ne.ed to strengthen

relations for greater stability in the region

their political

as well as .to

eliminate the influence of superpowers. On bilateral relat:L,ons,

he said that Iran wanted increasingly to seek Indian

assistance in the fields of science, technology ~nd i~dustry

to free his country from aligning with the West for

cooperation. He also said · that his wide ranging talks here

had paved the way for considerably expanding economic and

83. Quoted in Indian Express, 13 February 1983.

84. Indian Express, 2 May 1982.

85. Ibid.

143

'-

commercial relations between the two countries. 86

The visit of Velayati to India served to create an

impression of development of mature bilateral relationship

between Iran and India. The Iranian view in this regard was

expressed by Ali Akbar Velayati himself. He said that Iran

wished to expand and consolidate relations with India.

Further, he added that Iranian leaders had found that

conditions in India were favorable for India's cooperation in the

reconstruction of the Iranian economy. 87 He made a frank

appraisal of Iran's policy, and noted with satisfaction the

Iranian effort to expand further relations with India.

3esides, a great degree of identity of views was reflected

between the two governments on international matters, on

regional questions and on bilateral issue. The statement was

issued after Velayati's talks with P.V. Narasimha Rao, tbe then . . . - . . .

Minister for External Affairs. Both sides. expres_~ed "great

~oncern" over the situation in Afghanistan and urged all

concerned to work towards such a settlement ~pich. could ensure

that the Afghan people would determine their own destiny free

from outside interference. 88 They also emphasized the need to

reassert the role of the Non-Alignment movement as an

86. Hindustan Times, 2 May 1982.

87. Indian Express, 30 April 1982.

88. Statesman, 3 May 1982.

144

independent, non-bloc factor and a positive force to strengthen

peace and security in the world. They also called for the

urgent need to remove superpower presence from the Indian Ocean

region which constituted a threat to peace and increased tension

in the region. They wanted implementation of the 1971 UN

as a zone of peace. declaration declaring the Indian Ocean

In the.meantime, they also condemned the illegal annexation of

Al-Qods and the Golan Heights which constituted a serious

threat to world peace and a violation of International Law. 89

On the Iran-Iraq war, the statement said that the Iranian side

had briefed the Indian side of their views. The Indian side had

expressed the hope

near future. 90

for a just solution of the dispute in the

In their bid to strengthen the mutual cooperation, both

sides decided to set up a new Joint Commission to expand

their bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, trade,

industry culture, science and technology. The decision formed

part of the joint statement at the end of the·Iranian Foreign

Ministers visit to India on 2 May 1982. The two countries laid

particular emphasis on the maintenance and development of

cultural and educational relations between them. Both sides

89. Times of India, 3 May 1982.

90. Ibid.

145

also agreed that cultural agreement should be signed at an early

date to put such contacts on an institutional and regular basis.

The Iranian foreign minister at the end further added that Iran

had considerable expertise in the field of oil and it was

prepared to help India. 91

The Indian side alsc reiterated its desire to restore old

bonds and to further strengthen the area of bilateral

relations. Recalling the age old ties between the two

countries P.V. Narasimha Rao, the Minister for External Affairs

said: "The great achievements of the past should make us

humble and little aware of our responsibilities to ourselves

today and to our history. We have to build on the sound

foundation laid by previous generations". 92 P.V. Narasimha Rao

next paid an official visit to Iran from July 18 to 22, 1983.

He was accompanied by a high level delegation consisting of K.

Natwar Singh. Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs and

other officials of that Ministry, as well as the Ministries . . ,.

of Information and Broadcasting, steel and Mines, Finance,

Commerce, Education, Culture and Industry. During his visit to

Iran P. V. Narasimha Rao called on Syed Ali Khamenei, the

President of Iran, Hussein Musavi, the Prime Minister, Hashemi

91. Hindustan Times, 2 May 1982.

92. Tribune, 20 July 1983.

146

Rafsanjani, the Speaker of the Majlis, Asghar Owladi, the

Minister of Commerce, Behzad Nabvai, Minister of Heavy

Industries, and Dr. Hassan Ghafuri Fard, the Minister of

Energy. 93

The visit of P.V. Narasimha Rao, to Iran in July 1983 was an

important step towards strengthening and furthering

bilateral relations between Iran and India. He and the Indian

delegation was accorded a warm reception. The two Foreign

Ministers had several rounds of talks which were held in an

atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding. They also

referred to the deep historical and cultural relations between

the people of Iran and India and emphasized their anti-

imperialist and anti-colonial freedom struggles. 94 At the

same time, both ministers agreed that similarities in

political approaches and views, formed a firm basis for

establishing an institutional framework for intensifying

economic, trade, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation

between two countries and giving them practical shape. 95 In

addition to this, both sides also emphasised their firm belief

93. "P. v. Narasimha Rao Concludes Visit, 11 Press Information Bureau (Government of India, New Delhi), July 23, 1983, pp. 1-4.

94. Ibid.

95. Ibid.

147

in the continuing relevance and significant role of the Non-

Aligned movement in the establishment and strengthening of the

international peace and the need for further consolidating and

strengthening in this movement. They called that the non-

aligned movement which has its origins in the deisre of newly

indpendent states to steer clear of military alliance, great

power rivalry, and East-West confrontation, has important part to

play is safeguarding Non-Aligned countries from foreign inference

and enbales them to· concert their economic efforts for their

economic and social developments. Alf Abar Velayati, the foreign

minister, appreciated India's contributions towards consolidating

unity of the non-aligned movement and intiatives it was taking to

make the seventh summit a success.

The visit also resulted in forging closer bonds and in

widening the areas of cooperation between the two countries.

The two . countries agreed to expand bilateral economic relations

and signed an agreement on 19 _July 1983 setting up the Iran-

India Joint Commission. 96 Besides, the modalities had been

worked out in detail for cooperation in the field of education,

the exchanges of films and radio programmes for cooperation

between the national information media of the two countries,

and the provisic;»_n of visa and accreditation facilities for media

96. Ibid. I p.3.

148

representatives on reciprocal bases. 97 A detailed time schedule

for the implementation of the cultural exchange programme for

1983-84 had been worked out. P.V. Narasimha Rao's visit to Iran

also paved the way for lifting iron ore from the Kudremukh

plant. Talking to reporters on his return from Iran, P.V.

Narasimha Rao said that there had been some progress regarding

the Kudremukh Project, though some issues remained to be

finalized. 98

Many efforts were made by both sides to accelerate the

two way understanding and cooperation. The rapproachment,

however, was limited. In April 1984, both India and Iran

discussed the possibility of expanding bilateral trade and

taking the total turn-over to much higher level. This was

highlighted when Sheikh-ul-Islam, Deputy Foreign Minister of

Iran, visited India in 1984 as,a :·sp~cial emissary of the Iranian

President and called on the Minj,..ster of State for Commerce, N. R.

Lasker, in New Delhi.99 The Iranian Minister emphasised that

97. "Joint Press Statement" issued at the conclusion of the· official visit of ~~ternal Affairs Minister I P'.'V.' Narasimha. Rao, to Tehrari on 2t July, 1983", Foreign Affairs Records (Government of India, New Delhi), J~l~ 1~83· pp.140-42.

98 Times of India, 22 July 1983.

99. "India and Iran for Boosting Bilateral Trade", Affairs Record (Government of India, New Delhi), no.4, April 1984, p.138.

149

Foreign vol XXX,

better economic

countries would

and commercial relations between the two

contribute to the economic independence of

India and Iran. He also pointed out that it was Iran's policy

to purchase as much as possible from India. 100

Indo- Iranian relations took a new shift in 1984. In

December 1984 the second session of the Indo-Iranian Joint

Commission was held. Both Iran and India 'reiterated' their

firm belief in the important role of the non-aligned movement in

the establishment and consolidation of international peace and

security. In this regard, a joint statement was·also issued at

the conclusion of the second session of the Indo-Iranian Joint

Commission. 101

regret of the

of Iran at

At the outset, the statement recorded ~he deep

government and the people of the Islamic Republic

the assassination of Mrs. Indira Gandhi. Dr.

Velayati expressed the confidence that the new government ln

India would continue to follow

·independence and modernization.

her ideals in the policies of

The statement also recorded

appreciation of the Indian government

''sympathy. 102

100. Ibid.

101. Hindustan Times, 1 December 1984.

102. Ibid.

150

for the Iranian

Although India and Iran 'reiterated' their belief in the

important role of the Non-Aligned movement in the establishment

and consolidation of international peace and security, the two

countries differed in their assessment of the Afghan situation.

The views of the two countries on the Afghan issue were recorded

in two separate paragraphs in the statement. Iran, while

condemning ~he presence of ·the foreign occupying forces and

calling for their immediate and unconditional withdrawal from

Afghanistan soil and safe and honourable return of all the

Afghan refugees to their .homeland and the right of self-

determination by the Afghan people, explained that the Islamic

Republic of Iran repudiates any kind of talks, negotiations and

solution in which the real representatives of the Muslim people

of Afghanistan have not had any part.

The Indian side 'reiterated' paragraph 114 of the Political

Declaration of the 7th non-aligned summit and also reiterated

paragraph 115 through which the non-aligned movement had

extended its support to the constructive steps taken by the

United Nations Secretary General for political settlement of

the situation in Afghanistan. 103 However both countries joined

103. "Seventh Conference of Heads of State of Government of Non­aligned Countries, March 7-12, 1983", Documents of the Gatherino Non-aligned Countries 1983-86 (Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, 1986), pp.17-30

151

in condemning the continued acts of aggression of Israel and

expressed their firm support for the constant and legitimate

struggle of the Palestinian people until the complete liberation

of the occupied lands. India and Iran also declared their

support for popular movements in the struggle against

oppression, colonialism and racial discrimination and

liberation struggle of the South West African People's

Organization (SWAPO). Both countries called for the

independence of Namibia and cohdemned the racist and aggressive

acts of the ·apartheid regime of South Africa. 104

Indo- Iranian bilateral relations reached a new height in

January 1986. A comprehensive agreement was signed between

Iran and India in further intensifying the area of cooperation.

According to the agreement, India would assist Iran in various

fields including setting up of job intensive rural industries,

satellite communication, textile and agricult.ural implements

factories. This was agreed upon in a document signed at T~hran ,

on 7 January at the end of a four day meeting of the Joint

Commission of the two countries. 105 The emphasis was on

industrial cooperation. The commission also agreed to set up

joint ventures in the two countries to tap their domestic and

104. Indian Express, 10 December 1984.

105. Financial Express, January 14, 1986.

January 14, 1986; Also see Tribune1

152

international markets. 106 At the same time, Iran invited

Indian companies to help to set up cement and textiles plants.

The Iranian government was also keen on import substitution by

setting up 18 large cement plants each with a capacity of 2,000

tonnes per day, besides several small plants. India accepted

an Iranian suggestion to buy cement produced at Indian assisted

plants. The agreement was s·ilent on oil-related trade but it

said this would be governed by market trends and that a

petroleum delegation was scheduled to visit Tehran by March to

renew India's contract for oil purchase from Iran, a

traditional supplier.107

The high level contacts between the two countries

were also stepped up. The visit of Dr. Velayati to India in

August 1986 at the invitation of P. Shiv Shankar, Minister for

External Affairs, further intensified the abiding Indo-Iranian

ties. This was the third visit of Velayati to India after

assuming office as Foreign Minister. 108 He was accompanied by

a high-level Iranian delegation. The two ministers reviewed

activities of the Joint Commission and prospects for

106. Asian Recorder, vol. XXXII, no~7, February 12-18, p.18759.

107. Ibid.

108. "Foreign Minister of Iran Visits India: The Text of Agreed Talks", Foreign Affairs Record (Government of India, New Delhi)1 vol. XXXIV, no.8, August 1986, p.224.

153

cooperation in the future. During their talks the following

agreements on bilateral cooperation were reached. (1) It was

decided that the fourth session of the Indo-Iranian Joint

Commission would be held in Delhi at the end of 1986 or early

1987 as per mutually convenient dates to be finalized through

diplomatic channels. (2) A high level and comprehensive

Iranian economic delegation will visit India in early

September to negotiate an oil linked trade deal and to work out

banking arrangements to facilitate lifting of Iranian oil by

India and counter purchase of India's goods by Iran. (3) Iranian

side expressed interest in the import of commodities and goods

such as wheat, rice, meat, cc~n and different types of steel.

Indian side took note of the request and it was agreed that

the list of commodi t.ies will be provided in advance and

finalized during the visit of the economic delegation to

India. (4) Secretary (steel) will visit Iran in September 1986 '- ,., --·-

to review progress relating to Kudremukh iron ore project. (5)

Both sides agreed that there are goo~ prospects for

industrial collaboration and cooperation between the two

countries particularli in the fields of power, steel, transport,

telecommunications and railways. An Iranian delegation would

visit India to explore cooperation in cement industry.

Meanwhile, Projects and Equipment Corporation of India (PEC) had

made a proposal for supply of passenger rail coaches to Iran

in pursuance of earlier discussions in the Joint Commission.

154

The Iranian side also took note to give sympathetic

consideration to this offer. (6) Both sides reviewed media

coverage of events in each other's country. It

that the official media should project events in

country in constructive and positive manner. 109

was agreed

each other's

In December 1987 a high-level Iranian industrial delegation

led by Minister for Heavy Industry, Behzad Nabavi I visited

India. During the visit he held wide ranging discussions with

the Union Industry Minister 1 J. v·engal Rao, and Narayana Dat t

Tiwari, the Finance Minister. This was also instrumental in the

further enlargement of cooperation especially in the field of

industrial cooperation between two countries. Vengal Rao

expressed hope that the discussion would not only consolidate

existing economic relations but also open up new vistas for

cooperation in the heavy industrial sector. 110 A_Memorandum of

Understanding was signed at the Indo- Iranian talks on

industrial cooperation,

This cooperation would

transaction research and training.

include transfer of technology and

supply of equipment and machinery, Consultancy and technical

services in the areas of utilization. of spare capacity in

Iran, casting machine building, diesel engine manufacturing,

and vehicle parts, . manufacturing of equipment for refineries

109. Ibid.

155

power plants, cement and sugar. Besides, the Iranian side also

discussed with various Indian organizations in the public and

private sectors. The areas covered were automobiles and

component, machine tools, power engines castings, equipment

manufacturing, forging and·foundry items.111

Inspite of the apparent warming of relations, fissures of

tension in Iran-India relations could be perceived in 1987. That

could be seen in the context of India's position on Iraq's use

of chemical weapons on Iran, India's position on the

Afghanistan issue, and Irari's critical stand on the Kashmir

issue. These issues will be discussed in the fourth chapter

in detail.

the tension was short lived. Various efforts were

made from time to tiine which contributed to the restoration - .. ~ .. ·- ~

and strengthening .of bilateral relations between the two

countries. In September 1989 a Memorandum of Understanding,

was signed to overcome consular and visa related problems.

The document was signed by External Affairs Joint Secretary.

Naresh Dayal and the Iranian Ambassador, Ibrahim Rahimpur, as a

110. "India and Iran to set up Trade and Industrial Cooper:a.tiQI}~', Foreign Affairs Record (Government of India, 'New Delhi), vol. XXXIII, no. 2, December 1987, Business Standard, December 21, 1987.

111. Ibid., December 26, 1987.

156

follow-up to the discussions held on August 29 between the

Iranian Deputy Foreign

Secretary, S.K. Singh.

ensure speedy grant

Minister, Javed Mansoori, and Foreign

The new arrangement included steps to

of visas to Iranian students who take

admission to recognized universities. Meantime, Iranian

government agreed to issue one year visa to teachers going to

teach in Indian schools in Iran. Th~ Indian government would

oversee that the terms and conditions of service promised to

Indian doctors in Iran were adhered to. 112

The change of government in India under National Front,

made also no difference to the continuity of Indo-Iranian ties.

In February 1990, on the occasion of the 11th ·anniversary of

the Islamic revolution, the Fine Arts and crafts society of

India organized an exhibition of Iranian handicraft in New

Delhi. 113 Apart from this, the people of India contributed

generously towards the earth quake relief and sent a large

number of condolence message.

medicines to Iran. 114 The

Many Indian companies sent

Government of India while

expressing sympathies with the people of I•ran announced

humanitarian assistance of rupees one core and airlifted

112. Asian Recorder, val. XXXV, no.45, November 1989, p.20850.

113. Patriot, 12 February 1991

114. See for details Patriot, 12 February 1991.

157

medicines and blankets for the victims of the earthquake. The

Uttar Pradesh government provided a relief worth Rs. 36 lakhs: 115

India also paid rich homage to Ayatollah Khomeini by

acknowledging his great revolutionary achievements aimed at

destroying imperialist aspirations of the Western Countries in

Iran. India declared four days of national mourning on the

passing away of Ayatollah Khomeini. 116 The then Prime Minister

Raj i v Gandhi visited Iranian embassy in New Delhi to sign the

book of mourning. In the meantime the Rajya Sabha of the

Indian Parliament (Upper House) adjourned on July 18, 1989

without transacting any business after paying homage to

Ayatollah Khomeini. The Prime Minister said while paying

rich tribute to Ayatollah Khomeini that:

" Iran lost ·a spiritual leader of the magnetism and charisma. Imam Khomeini was a revolutionary of great eminence and of great conviction. It is: a· grievous· loss for the ~eople of 1ran artd-is shared bi the people of India. Imam Khomeini extolled the. high--valu-e:s ·--of·· Islam. He exemplified the.Shia ethics of self denial. He protested against the rampant westernization and materialism which have destroyed traditional values. The outpouring grief at the passing away·. of Imam Khomeini is 'ri1easures ot the Stature and the affection and the devotion that his countrymen gave him. In Khomeini' s place in history is assured. We Qay tribute to one who ch~nged the course of history." 117

115. Ibid.

116. National Herald, 11 July 1989.

117. Rajya Sabha Debate, 18 July 1989 (New Delhi), vol. 15, no. 1-5, 18-24 July 19891, p.1-6

158

In addition to this, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi also

passed a condolence resolution on the occasion. Then the

opposition party leader Vishwanatha Pratap Singh also attended

a condolence meeting with the Shahi Imam Maulana Abdulla

Bukhari held in the Indian capital. 118

Bilateral activity further accelerated~ The visit of Saeed

Rajai Khorassani, the Chairman, Foreign Relations Committee of

the Iranian Msjlis (Parliament) to India, in the last week of

October 1990, further contributed significantly to the

advancement of the bilateral relations as well as the

intensification of bilateral cooperation in the fields of

economics, technical know-how and culture. In an interview with

IRNA before leaving for Tehran, Saeed Rajai Khorassani said:

"that India should take keen interest to improve bilateral

economic, technical and cultural relations . 119 He was

accompanied by a high-ranking parliamentary delegation. · During

his five-day official visit to India, Saeed Raja Khorassani

held meetings with the then Vice President, Dr. Shanker Dayal

Sharma, V.P. Singh, the Prime Minister, I.K. Gujral, the Foreign

Minister, George Fernandes, the Railways Minister and Shivraj

Patil, the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha. 120

118. Patriot, 12 February 1991.

119. Kayhan International, 3, November 1990.

120. Ibid.

159

The visit contributed to the widening the field of

bilateral cooperation between the two countries. In October

1990, the Deputy Minister for Petroleum of the Islamic Republic

of Iran, visited India to participate in the CHEMTECH

conference. During his week-long stay in India he signed

several agreements with the Petroleum Ministry of India. The

agreement, em,'isaged construction of petro-chemical · plants in

I :ran by the

skilled oil

Kuwait. The

Indian engineers.

sector workers of

Iran also agreed to absorb

India displaced from Iraq and

agreement also provided for the tr?-ining of

Iranian personnel in the construction of petroleum plants. 121

Iran and Bangladesh

With regard to Bangladesh, Iran has enjoyed v'ery cordial

relations almost without exception since the formers

··-establishment in 1971. Bilateral rela~ionship was further

-·strengthened with the proclamation of the Islamic Republic of

Iran in 1979. Ayatollah. Khomeini himself expressed of his

'country's desire to restore the old bonds with the

Bangladeshi people and strengthen them. This was noted at the

extensive talks held between Ayatollah. Khomeini and the new

Bangladesh Ambassador to Iran, Humayun Kabir, who had gone to

121. See for detail, Patriot, 12 February 1991.

160

Qom, to pay his respects following the presentation of his

credentials. During the talks, Ayatollah Khomeini expressed his

confidence that 11 fraternal 11 relations between Bangladesh and

the Islamic Republic of Iran would be strengthened and areas

of cooperation further expanded in future. 122 Meanwhile,

Khomeini stressed the importance of the unity of the Muslim

world. He conveyed his warm greetings and good wishes tc

President Ziaur Rahman and the brotherly people of

Bangladesh. In addition, during the meeting the historic

ties bet~een the people of Iran and Bangladesh were recalled.

Ayatollah Khomeini also accepted the Ambassador's suggestion to

send a people'~ delegation on his behalf at the appropriate

time to carry his personal greetings and good will for the

people. of Bangladesh and inform them of the goals of Iranian

revolution as well as to know about the people of Bangladesh and

their brotherly sentiments for the people of Iran . . ··.1

As mentioned earlier that Bangladesh was not a silent

observer of the revolutionary developments in Iran. Bangladesh

'reiterated' its traditional Islamic bond. 123 It was remarkable

in that Iran, at that time, was confronted by the

two superpowers. The relations with USA were becoming bitter '.

and bitter day by day. On the other hand, its relations with

122. Bangladesh Observer (Dhaka), 22 May 1979.

123. Ibid.

161

Arab countries were also deteriorating. These states (Arab)

which had come to view a pro- Western Iran as a source of

stability were now forced to revise their own threat perceptions.

So in this context, its warm relations with Bangladesh which

became an important Muslim country in the world helped Iran to

remove its diplomatic isolation to some extent.

Bangladesh's continuous process of Islamisation and

establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran based entirely on

Islamic ideology ·gave an unprecedented fillip to their

'traditional' relations. A ninety-five year old Bangladeshi

religious dignitary pointed out that the Islamic revolution

was assiduously trying to promote the unity of Muslims - a unity

that was essential for confronting the bitter foes of Islam and

a unity essential towards overcoming the many problems and

difficulties faced by Muslim countries. 124 He further said that

what they witnessed in Iran was very different from what was

presented to them and he felt pity. He observed that the

Western propaganda had deliberately confused the world about the

policies of the Islamic Republic of Irari. The Islamic Republic

of Iran and Bangladesh shared similar views.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister, A.R.S.Doha, paid an

124. Sepehr Zabih, Iran Since the Revolution p.175

162

In July 1983,

official visit

(London , 19 8 2 ) ,

to Iran. During their discussions, both countries found out

broad similarities in respect of international political

scenario. Doha's visit to post revolutionary Iran was

significant . 125 After Ziaur Rahman's visit to Iran in March

1977, Doha was the highest Bangladesi official who visited that

country. Ziaur Rahman's visit to Iran had ushered in a new era

in Ira_n Bangladesh relatic:1s. In the same manner,

to Iran in 1983 gave accelerated pace to

Doha's visit

Bangladesh's

relations with the new Islamic regime in Iran and during the

discussions between the .two Foreign Ministers "the two sides

expressed their commitment to the unity of the Islamic ummah.

In addition, during the visit to Iran in April 1983, Marshal

Sultan Mahmud, Bangladesh Minister for Energy, agreed that "if

we are imbued with the true spirit of brotherhood and teaching

of Islam, it would be possible to contain the forces .that tend

to divide us and pose a threat to our security. 126

The visit of Ali Akbar Velayati, Foreign Minister of

Iran, to Bangladesh in September 1983 gave a new impetus to the

friendly relations and it was instrumental in the further

of Iran-Bangladesh bilateral and economic enlargement

cooperation. This was the first ever official visit of the

12 5. Ibid, 17 July 1983.

126. Bangladesh Observer, 13 April 1983.

163

Iranian Foreign Minister to Bangladesh. The two sides

exchanged views and assessments on major international and

regional issues which resulted in a better understanding of

each other's point of view. Besides, both sides emphasized the

need for unity and solidarity of the Islamic ummah. 127 In the

meantime, Deputy Chief Martial Law Administrator and

Communications Minister, Rear Admiral M.A. Khan, reiterated

Bangladesh's commitment to the policy of gro~ing relationship and

cooperation with the countries of the Islamic world. He added

that Bangladesh's commitment to uphold the principles of the

OIC was also reiterated when the Iranian Foreign Minister Ali

Akbar Velayati called on him. An official source described

the Iranian Foreign Minister's visit to Bangladesh as

successful. Apart from this, Ali Mohammad Besharati vi:;:ited

Bangladesh as special envoy of Syed Ali Khamenei, the President

of Iran. During his visit he called on Hussain Mohammad Ershad, : .. .,,. -

the President of Bangladesh and handed over to him a letter

from President Syed Ali Khamenei. He also called on Foreign

Affairs Adviser, Humayum Rasheed Choudhury, at the Foreign

Office and the two discussed the Iran Iraq war as we ::.-1 as

other matters of mutual interest. Besharati also held

extensive talks with Foreign Secretary, Air Vice-Marshal

Sultan Mohammad. During the talks both discussed in detail

127. Bangladesh Times, 16 September 1983.

164

strengthening of bilateral cooperation and relations that

included the areas of trade and culture. They also expressed

satisfaction that the volume of trade between the two

countries had been increasing each year. 128

The mutual

their bilateral

effort of both countries continued to develop

cooperation. Syed Ali Khamenei, the President

of Iran, received Anisul Islam Mahmud, the Foreign Minister, in

December 1988. In his meeting with the Iranian President,

Anisul Islam conveyed the warm greetings of Hussain Mohammad

Ershad and gratitude for Komeini's message of sympathy and for

the assistance of the Iranian people to the victims of

Bangladesh flood. Ayatollah Khomeini expressed gratitude for

Ershad' s kind message and stressed the importance of

expansion and strengthening of relations between the two

countries in all areas. He said, " ... destinies of Muslim

nations are linked together and, with unity and cooperation,

they can achieve great things. Our two countries, too which

are linked from the p'oints of view of history, geography and

6ulture can undertake extensive cooperation". During his visit

t"o Iran, Anisul Islam also met Musavi, the Prime Minister.

In the meeting Musavi

serious efforts to expand

128. Pot, June 25, 1985

welcomed the Bangladesh government's

relations with the Islamic Republic

165

of Iran and expressed the hope that the two friendly Muslim

nations would be able to be good allies with each other in

today's turbulent world. The Prime Minister also expressed

sadness about the high number of fatalities in the floods in

Bangladesh and expressed the hope that, with the cooperation of

the region's countries, fundamental solutions would be found for

the prevention of lar~e scale floods. 129

A major breakthrough was achieved in the bilateral

relations between Iran and Bangladesh with the second visit of

Ali Akbar Velayati to Bangladesh in September 1989. This visit

helped to identify the new area of bilateral cooperation

between two countries. A Memorandum of Understanding, was

signal for setting up the Joint Commission . 130 The Joint

Commission, as envisaged by the Memorandum of Understanding,,

helped to explore the?~ssib~lities of promoting bilateral-

· cooperation in political, economic, cultural, scientific ~nd T,. .

technical fields between Dhaka and Tehran for their mutual

benefit. The Joint Commission was to meet at least once a year

alternately in Tehran and Dhaka. It was decided that

Bangladesh would export jute, tea and fertilizer· to Iran which

in return would export petroleum products and cement to Bangla-

129. SWB, Part 4, 1988

130. Nation. 15 September 1989.

166

desh. In the meantime, Bangladesh and Iran also decided to set

up a ministerial-level Joint Commission with a view to

expanding bilateral cooperation in various fields and

strengthening further the brotherly ties between the two Muslim

nations. The Foreign Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud told newsmen

after his talks that he and Velayati exchanged views on promoting

bilateral relations further. 131

131. Ibid

.167