India’s changing stance on Iran’s nuclear programme - from opposition to strategic diplomacy

India’s position on Iran’s nuclear programme has changed drastically over the past two decades. In 2005, India voted against Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), corresponding itself with a resolution backed by the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. This resolution did not call for an immediate referral to the UN Security Council but expressed serious concern about Iran’s non-compliance with its IAEA obligations. The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, maintained that while Iran had the right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy, it must fully adhere to its international commitments under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). In February 2006, India took an even firmer stand by voting alongside the United States to refer Iran’s nuclear file to the UN Security Council. This vote sparked political controversy within India, particularly among leftist parties and others who saw the move as succumbing to Western pressure. However, at the time, India was deeply engaged in negotiating the India–US civil nuclear agreement, which likely influenced its alignment with Washington’s position on Iran.

Over time, as the India–US nuclear deal was finalized and the Iran issue moved to the UN Security Council, New Delhi adopted a more cautious approach. From 2007 onward, India began distancing itself from IAEA votes related to Iran, choosing not to take definitive stances. This diplomatic restraint continued for over a decade, reflecting India’s broader strategy of balancing its ties with both the United States and Iran, especially given its energy interests and regional strategic considerations. In 2024, India’s approach was rather neutral. In June, it refrained from an IAEA resolution that censured Iran for lack of cooperation with nuclear inspectors. Again in March 2025, India had set back from a similar resolution. All these decisions correspond with New Delhi’s attempt to maintain a balanced position in a tense global warfare, particularly in the escalating tensions involving Israel, Iran, and the Western powers. India’s diplomacy also reflects its current foreign policy priorities of avoiding getting into conflicts and safeguarding sovereign autonomy and regional stability.

Overall, India’s stance on Iran’s nuclear issue from active opposition in the early 2000s to cautious avoidance in recent years establishes a very diplomatic balancing act played by India. It reveals India’s desire to assert its independent foreign policy while it still navigates complex relationships with major powers and regional actors.