Iran

Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a historically rich and geopolitically significant nation located in West Asia, at the crossroads of Eurasia and the Middle East. Formerly known as Persia, it boasts one of the world's oldest continuous major civilizations, with a heritage spanning thousands of years that has profoundly influenced art, literature, science, and philosophy across the globe. Its cultural legacy includes iconic architectural marvels, Persian carpets, intricate miniature paintings, and the timeless poetry of Rumi and Hafez. Geographically, Iran is characterized by rugged mountain ranges surrounding a central plateau, with strategic coastlines along the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and the Caspian Sea. This unique position, coupled with possessing the world's second-largest natural gas reserves and third-largest proven oil reserves, grants it immense strategic importance in global energy markets and international trade routes, such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Politically, Iran is an Islamic Republic, and its unique governance structure often places it at the center of regional and international discourse, particularly concerning its nuclear program and its role in Middle Eastern affairs. Economically, despite significant challenges posed by international sanctions, Iran maintains a diversified economy driven by hydrocarbons, agriculture, and an emerging technology sector. India and Iran share a millennia-long history of cultural and commercial ties, including cooperation on the Chabahar Port, which offers India a vital gateway to Central Asia, highlighting Iran's enduring relevance in global and regional affairs, impacting trade dynamics even for commercial hubs like Surat.