The Indian official, who was speaking at the first International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in New Delhi, pointed out that 'what happens to Iran or what others do to Iran' has tremendous impact in India, as it has the world's second largest Shia population.
21 April 2008: Press TV
India's National Security Advisor Mayankote Kelath Narayanan says his country does not want to be part of any 'compact' against Iran.
The senior Indian official described recent talks between permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany over Iran's nuclear issue as 'conflict diplomacy' and said that New Delhi does not want to be part of any 'compact' against the country.
“India is better poised, better placed than anyone else (to talk to Iran). We do not want to be part of a compact. We believe that we understand Iran better,” he added, referring to the long historical and cultural ties with the West Asian nation.
The Indian official, who was speaking at the first International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in New Delhi, pointed out that 'what happens to Iran or what others do to Iran' has tremendous impact in India, as it has the world's second largest Shia population.
He added that India looks on the matter not only as a foreign policy issue but also as a domestic one.
Narayanan urged the international community to treat Iran with respect and not 'in the manner of any other country'.
“Iran is a major country with tremendous influence. Please deal with them diplomatically,” he said.
Naryanan added that Iran and India take a lot of common positions on regional issues, especially Afghanistan, where India is building a road linking the country's highways to the Iranian border.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Indian national security advisor announced that the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would soon be visiting India.
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