INDIA-IRAN PACT ON SEAFARERS
Bасkgrоund:-
- India and Iran share close civilizational ties since the times of the Persian Empire and Indian kingdoms.
- Iran is an important nation in India’s neighbourhood and in fact, the two countries shared a border until India’s partition and independence in 1947.
- Both South Asia and the Persian Gulf have strong commercial, energy, cultural and people-to-people links.
What is the International Convention on STCW for Seafarers?
- It sets qualification standards for masters, officers and watch personnel on seagoing merchant ships.
- STCW was adopted in 1978 by a conference at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London and entered into force in 1984. The Convention was significantly amended in 1995.
- The 1978 STCW Convention was the first to establish basic requirements on training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers on an international level.
Linkаges:-
Political relations:
- India and Iran signed a friendship treaty on March 15, 1950.
- Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Tehran in April 2001 wherein the two countries signed the “Tehran Declaration” which set forth the areas of possible cooperation between the two countries.
- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi paid a bilateral visit to Iran from May 22-23, 2016. Prime Minister called on the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and held delegation level talks with President Rouhani. A Joint Statement titled “Civilizational Connect, Contemporary Context” was released.
Defence relations
- Both India and Iran also consult each other on security matters.
- There are regular bilateral exchanges at the level of National Security Advisors and Deputy National Security Advisors.
Economic and Commercial Relations
- India-Iran commercial ties were traditionally dominated by Indian import of Iranian crude oil.
Indian community
- The Indian community in Iran comprises around 5000 Indian nationals.
- There is a high-level commitment in both countries to promote and facilitate people-to-people contacts.
Сurrent Sсenаriо:-
- India and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to smoothen movement of seafarers from both the countries as per the provisions of International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers (1978).
- The MoU was signed during a bilateral meeting between the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal and Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Rostam Ghasemi. Mr. Sonowal is on a three-day visit to Iran.
Imрасt:-
- India and Iran, therefore, have a lot that can be achieved together. The assertive diplomacy being practiced by India, emphasizing on standing by its neighbors and friends and focusing solely on fulfilling its national interests, is a refreshing change.
Curated by- Jeffrey