ABSTRACT: India and Iran—one the object of much wooing from Washington, the other a member of President Bush’s “axis of evil” —announced the creation of a “strategic partnership” in 2003. This Special Report explores the new cordiality in relations between New Delhi and Tehran, as well as the ways this partnership may impact upon the interests of other regional players. Christine Fair explains the calculations that make Iran an attractive partner for New Delhi, and concludes that the bilateral relationship is here to stay. Jalil Roshandel offers an Iranian perspective on the relationship. Pakistan, geographically situated between the two, views closer links between its neighbors with considerable alarm, a subject examined by Sunil Dasgupta. P.R. Kumaraswamy asks how this new Indian-Iranian collaboration may influence New Delhi’s economic and strategic ties with Israel. In addition, all four essays address the implications for the United States of the new warmth in Indian-Iranian ties.

C. CHRISTINE FAIR
Indo-Iranian Relations: Prospects for Bilateral Cooperation Post–9-11

JALIL ROSHANDEL
The Overdue “Strategic” Partnership Between Iran and India

SUNIL DASGUPTA
Pakistan Responds to New Ties Between India and Iran

P.R. KUMARASWAMY
Indo-Iranian Ties: The Israeli Dimension