Context on External Relations
News US Urges Japan To Take "Strong Measures" Against Iran

The United States on Wednesday urged Japan, which has long been having good relations with Iran, to emulate Europe and take "strong measures" to punish Tehran over its controversial uranium-enrichment program.

  • August 5, 2010
News Poland and Lithuania discuss gas pipeline

The European Union could fund a portion of a natural gas pipeline discussed by Polish and Lithuanian officials, a gas company said.

  • August 5, 2010
News Japan's New Civil Nuclear Turn

Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada's reiteration of support last week for the Iranian fuel swap proposal outlined in the Tehran Declaration is the latest sign of a strategic reorientation in Japanese international nuclear policy.

  • August 4, 2010
News US-China tensions over South China Sea

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s provocative stance at the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) security forum last month, where she voiced opposition to China’s claims in the South China Sea, has inflamed another global flashpoint.

  • August 4, 2010
News To engage Iran, India looks to beat US, UN sanctions by being creative

In the clearest indication so far of New Delhi’s intent to do business with Tehran despite the growing international isolation of Iran over its nuclear weapons programme, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has proposed “creative mechanisms” to insulate Indian enterprises from the adverse impact of UN and US sanctions.

  • August 4, 2010
News EU Seeks Turkmen, Azeri Gas Accord to Reduce Russian Dependence

The European Union is seeking an agreement on a natural-gas pipeline between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan as the 27-nation bloc aims to import Caspian fuel and reduce its dependence on Russia.

  • August 4, 2010
News Iran rebuilds silk route

Iran has embarked on a series of ambitious projects to revive the historic Silk Road, moves aimed at expanding its regional influence and overcoming Western efforts to isolate it.

  • August 4, 2010
Publications The Russian–Iranian Relations after the UNSC  PDF  (144 Kb)

Key Positions 

  • Russia is deceiving the West in its support for the latest round of UNSC sanctions against Iran.

  • Russia continues to expand cooperation with Iran on its nuclear programme and agreements over sophisticated arms deliveries despite its moves to support sanctions.

  • Russia may have an interest in expanding its political and economic cooperation with the West, but the likelihood of strategic cooperation with Iran remains stronger in the medium term.

  • Russian President Medvedev’s announcement in mid-July that “Iran is close to developing nuclear weapons” occurring in parallel to Russia continuing to provide for Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities is a reflection of the pragmatic realism with which the current “diplomatic charades” involving Russia, Iran and the West should be understood.

  • August 4, 2010
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