Iran and India – Ancient Civilisations and New Horizons

Why in News?

The world is undergoing a profound change which is long dominated by western powers, especially the United States, many people call this a “time of transition,” while others label it as a “crisis of the Western-led international order.”

What are the actions of United States and response from global south?

• Hegemonic actions – The blatant violations of international law, the unchecked use of force, trade wars, a disregard for global institutions, manipulation of the media, and irreversible destruction of the environment.
• Toolkit of dominance — The global financial system, monopoly over science and technology, imposition of so-called human rights standards, and control of global media is losing its effectiveness.
• Response of Global South – Countries, particularly in the Global South, refuse to remain under domination and discrimination of the west.
• Begun a new path – The global south has begun their new path by relying on local models, developing indigenous science and technology, and strengthening their defence and security.
• Emerging powers and ancient civilisations are redefining their roles.

What was the role played by ancient civilisations in redefining the roles?  

• Iran and India – Two of the world’s oldest and richest civilisations, have, for centuries, shaped global culture.
• Peace and war – Both civilisations valued peace and avoided war, fighting only in defence against aggression.
• Cultural influence – Even when defeated militarily, their cultural influence was so profound.
• They reshaped the conquerors, imparting their knowledge of statecraft, governance, literature, philosophy, and art and architecture to them.

• Influence of Islam – Iran’s civilizational values continued in a new form, while India, recognised as the oldest continuous civilization was further enriched by Islamic influence.
• Shared values – The view of life as a gift, the belief in the ultimate triumph of good over evil, respect for diversity, the pursuit of inner purification and the commitment to spiritual growth

How is the modern era influence the world in defending the global south?

• India’s Anti-Colonial Legacy – India, through its anti-colonial struggle and leadership of the Non-Aligned Movement, defended the rights of the Global South.
• Iran’s Defiance of Western Control – Iran, by nationalising its oil industry and through the Islamic Revolution, resisted western domination.
• Values needed today – Peace, spirituality and respect for nature that can guide humanity in facing structural violence, environmental crises and social collapse.
• Strategic cooperation – India and Iran can together build the foundations of a just and humane order

• By strengthening South-South cooperation,
• Playing an active role in frameworks such as BRICS and
• Advancing transformative projects such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

What is the role of west with respect to Palestine issue?

• Supremacist & Brutality – Nowhere else is the hypocrisy, the supremacism, and the brutality of the West more evident.
• Resistance of Palestinian people – They are standing on the front lines against occupation and expansionism.
• They are fighting for the right of all Global South nations to resist domination.
• Iran’s defence – Iran’s stance for its right to peaceful nuclear energy is also a defence of the South’s right to development.
• At the same time, Iran becomes a stronghold for international law, diplomacy, and dialogue against those who claim to uphold human rights and democracy, yet constantly violate law and order.
• The struggle for Palestine seems to be the foremost concern of the Global South.

How the multilateral organisation has played against the dominance of west?

• Promise for future – BRICS offers the promise of an independent, participatory, and democratic future.
• BRICS hold great potential to challenge the economic dominance of the West.
• Civilizational bridge – The INSTC corridor is more than an economic route.
•  It is a civilizational bridge, linking Eurasia, the Caucasus, India and Africa, while bringing stability to West Asia.

How the U.S.’s intervened in regional politics for its own interest?

• West Asia – The U.S. and its allies have consistently sought to prevent the emergence of indigenous regional security by supporting the Zionist regime.
• They fuelled the instability in Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Iran.
• Response of Iran – As the region’s oldest civilisation, Iran has firmly opposed such interventions.
• It stood firmly against threatening the territorial integrity of the sovereign countries of the West Asia region.
• South Asia – The U.S. has played a major role in creating and expanding terrorist groups.
• Interest of USA – Whenever it has served its interests, Washington has intervened under the pretext of fighting terrorism.
• And whenever it has suited its agenda, it has even handed power back to those very terrorist groups.

What lies ahead?

• Iran and India, through civilizational wisdom, strategic independence and constructive partnership, can offer the world a new model.
• An order that is rooted in justice, common interests, and respect for human dignity.
• This is an order based not on domination, but on participation; not on superiority, but equality.
• It is a future where nations are not tools of the powerful, but builders of their own destiny.

Reference

The Hindu | Iran and India, ancient civilisations and new horizons