The joint virtual bilateral meeting of the (IPIS) and the Tillotoma Foundation of India

The joint virtual bilateral meeting of the Institute for Political and international Studies (IPIS) and the Tillotoma Foundation of India on Bilateral Developments in Relations and the peace process in Afghanistan and regional cooperation was held on Wednesday, December 15, 2011.

 The joint virtual bilateral meeting of the Institute for Political and international Studies (IPIS) and the Tillotoma Foundation of India on Bilateral Developments in Relations and the peace process in Afghanistan and regional cooperation was held on Wednesday, December 15, 2011.

 The meeting was attended by Khalil Shirgholami, Hossein Ebrahim Khani and Hossein Mullah Abdollahi, Senior Experts of the Institute for Political and International Studies, on one side, and Soham Das, Kamakshi Wason and Meena Singh Roy, Senior Researchers of the above mentioned institute, on the other side.

The meeting was held in the form of two panels, "Bilateral Developments" and "Developments in Afghanistan" in response to the following questions: What are the scenarios for the Iran-India relations after the new developments? What are the main challenges and opportunities lying ahead? What potentials for bilateral cooperation are there? What are the general trend and the latest developments of Afghanistan at the regional level? What will the impacts of the current developments in Afghanistan be on the geopolitical and geo-economic aspects?  

The most important issues raised in this meeting are as follows:

The traditional relations between Iran and India and the mutual determination of the two countries to develop cooperation in various fields can have very important benefits for both countries’ relations. Also, for taking advantage of opportunities and success in the face of challenges require extensive cooperation and bilateral dialogue.

 Iran and India have many advantages in expanding cooperation in various political, economic, cultural and communication fields. The capacities of Iran and India in different areas can complement each other.  Collaboration and conversations at different levels can lead to common understand on many issues.

Afghanistan is currently in a complex and difficult transition situation. Afghanistan today needs peace at home as well as a regional consensus among neighboring countries. Therefore, all regional actors must work together to support an inclusive government in Afghanistan.

Current regional trends show that economic, trade, investment and communication cooperation is particularly important in the field of transportation. Therefore, the three countries of Iran, Afghanistan and India, given the existing capacities, should put all their efforts together to expand cooperation and communication in all fields. The development of the Chabahar project is one of these issues that should be considered more than ever.