#Iran, #India Can Work Together To ‘Neutralize’ Sanctions: #Pezeshkian

During his meeting with PM Modi, Pezeshkian said the two countries could deepen cooperation across multiple sectors.

The two leaders also discussed the Strait of Hormuz, Chabahar Port and expanding economic and strategic cooperation.

Iran’s President also said he had sought PM Modi’s help to “move away from the path of war and bloodshed”, thanking India for its support and cooperation during the recent conflict.

Pezeshkian also emphasized the need to strengthen communications and consultations between officials of the two countries, stating: “With Your Excellency’s attention and support, we can further deepen relations between the two countries and create new areas for cooperation.”

The Prime Minister of India, for his part, expressed his pleasure at meeting with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, stating: “During the difficult period we have recently experienced, we sought to maintain and preserve our cooperation and communications with Iran.”

Referring to Dr. Pezeshkian’s experience and views on peace and security, Narendra Modi added: “From what I have come to know of your personality, you are a peace-loving person, and I believe that you can play an effective role in advancing the cause of peace. I am confident that your efforts will ultimately lead to positive results.”

The Indian Prime Minister, agreeing with the President’s view regarding the existence of groups that see their interests in the continuation of war, said: “I agree with you that there are those who see their interests in war, but we must intensify our efforts to establish peace. My belief and conviction is that, ultimately, peace and security will prevail.”

Narendra Modi also referred to the historical and civilizational background of relations between Iran and India, stating: “Iran and India have ancient and deep-rooted relations, and the civilizations of the two countries have been connected with one another for centuries. This historical and cultural heritage can serve as a valuable foundation for expanding cooperation between the two countries in various fields.”

The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Prime Minister of India also discussed the latest state of bilateral cooperation in various areas during the meeting.

Cooperation in the fields of transportation and maritime affairs, developments related to the Strait of Hormuz, and the progress of cooperation at Chabahar Port were among the most important issues discussed by the two sides.

The two sides emphasized the importance of making use of existing capacities to expand economic and trade relations and strengthen strategic cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of India.

#India makes #Iranian Shahed-class copycat kamikaze #drone Kal

India's IG Defence has unveiled 'Project KAL', an indigenous long-range strike drone capable of carrying explosive payloads up to 1,000 km, aimed at boosting India's unmanned warfare capabilities. Project KAL is an indigenous initiative by IG Defence (founded in Odisha) to develop a long-range, one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for the Indian armed forces. The project aims to create a "kamikaze" style drone designed for deep-penetration missions into hostile territory, specifically targeting high-value assets like radar installations and logistics hubs. 

Operational Range: Projected up to 1,000 km, allowing it to operate well beyond frontline areas.

Endurance: Approximately 3 to 5 hours, providing the ability to loiter over target zones for monitoring before striking.

Payload: Equipped to carry high-explosive payloads for precision strikes.

Strategic Comparison: It is frequently compared to the Iranian Shahed-class drones due to its emphasis on low-cost, long-range strike capabilities that can overwhelm enemy air defenses. 

Strategic Significance

Project KAL is a key component of India's Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative in the defense sector. By developing these capabilities indigenously, India seeks to: 

Reduce Reliance: Minimize dependence on foreign imports for advanced unmanned systems.

Cost Efficiency: Deploy inexpensive drones in large numbers to force adversaries into using significantly more expensive interceptor missiles, creating a tactical "cost imbalance".

Modern Warfare: Address a critical gap in India's arsenal for conducting standoff attacks with reduced risk to personnel. 

In recent and ongoing conflicts, Iranian Shahed-class drones—particularly the Shahed-131 and Shahed-136—have become a central weapon for both Russia and Iran’s regional proxies to overwhelm advanced air defenses. Their primary role is that of a "loitering munition" or "kamikaze drone," designed to strike fixed targets at long ranges.

Russia has deployed Iranian-designed Shahed drones (rebranded as Geran-1 and Geran-2) on an industrial scale. In 2025 alone, Russia launched over 38,000 Shahed-type drones at Ukraine, with a record monthly peak of over 6,000 strikes in July 2025.They are often launched in massive "swarms" alongside cruise and ballistic missiles. This forces defenders to expend multi-million dollar interceptor missiles on drones costing as little as $20,000 to $80,000, effectively exhausting air defense stockpiles.

The Shahed-238 (Geran-3) and Geran-5 feature turbojet engines, allowing for higher speeds and making them harder to intercept than propeller models.

During Operation True Promise in April 2024 and the 12-Day War in June 2025, Iran launched over 1,000 drones directly from its territory at Israeli military and civilian targets.

Groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen continue to use the Shahed-101 and Shahed-136 against Israeli and merchant shipping targets. 

Recognizing the effectiveness of the design, the United States reverse-engineered captured Shahed-136 drones to create its own version, the LUCAS (Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System). As of December 2025, these "American Shaheds" have been deployed by U.S. Central Command for operations in the Middle East.

India to continue development of Iranian port of Chahbahar

Following talks between Iran and the “E3+3” countries (China, France, Germany, Russia, UK and the US) an interim agreement known as the “Joint Plan of Action” was reached by both sides on November 24, 2013, which provides for a temporary freeze on further unilateral financial sanctions against Iran by these countries till July 20, 2014.

Government, therefore, continues efforts to promote India’s participation in the development of the Iranian port of Chahbahar as it will help promote India’s economic interests throughout the region including in Afghanistan, Iran and in the Central Asian region.

Government has been taking all necessary measures to enhance India’s energy security. Indian oil companies continuously engage in diversifying their crude oil purchase basket to eliminate dependence on any particular country or region.

This Information was given by answer the Minister of state in the Ministry of External Affairs Gen. Retd. V. K. Singh in Lok Sabha today.

The full development of the port would lower landlocked Afghanistan’s dependence on Pakistani ports for assured access to the sea. Besides, the trilateral arrangement could balance joint forays by China and Pakistan into the Indian Ocean.Observers say the development of Gwadar may have imparted some urgency to India’s decision to go ahead with the Chabahar project.