The second India-Russia-Iran Track II Dialogue was held at Observer Research Foundation, Delhi on December 2 and 3, 2015. The dialogue is a collective initiative of Observer Research Foundation, the Russkiy Mir Foundation, Russia and the Institute of Political and International Studies, Iran. Mr. Shambhu S. Kumaran, Joint Secretary, Eurasia delivered the keynote address.
The first edition of the Dialogue was held in Moscow in June, 2015. The conference seeks to foster constructive dialogue between academics, policy analysts and practitioners from the three countries on issues of mutual interest and concern. It aims to debate and discuss an increasing convergence of interests between India, Russia and Iran, prospects for economic cooperation, the roadmap to realising connectivity projects and stronger energy partnerships.
This edition of the dialogue focussed on the shifting balance of powers in the Eurasian landscape, connectivity projects in Eurasia, particularly the opportunities in the One Belt One Road project as well as the International North South Transit Corridor, cooperating for stability in Central Asia, Afghanistan and West Asia as well as the prospects for and challenges of greater energy cooperation between the three countries.
This conference was held at a critical juncture when global political developments necessitate greater dialogue between emerging powers and the trilateral dialogue seeks to contribute significantly to building intellectual partnerships for the future.
Experts from the three countries discussed the need to cooperate against the rise of extremism and radicalisation and the imperative of coming together to ensure greater stability in West and Central Asia.
In the economic realm, The International North South Transport Corridor could expand trade, economic and investment opportunities for India, Russia and Iran. Improving political and economic partnerships with Central Asian states and Afghanistan and enhancing connectivity with the Eurasian economies will be central to exploiting the opportunities that all three countries can offer each other. The shift to a multi-polar world, altering bilateral relations, like those of India-US, Russia-Pakistan, China-Japan and Saudi Arabia-Iran as well as the role that existing institutions like the SAARC, GCC, Arab League, NATO and SCO and can play in expanding the cooperative space between the countries was also discussed.
Traditionally, the three countries have had substantive relations that have only been cemented over the years. However, the potential of economic and strategic relations have not been proportionate to the capacities of the three countries.
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