India and Iran tiff over Oil Tanker

Despite India’s large size and huge army, the country’s leadership remains weak kneed and soft. The country has been repeatedly pushed around by smaller powers and the reaction of the country’s politicians has been quite pathetic. It has been seen in situations of provocation by neighbors as well as terrorists. The latest act of provocation comes from an unexpected quarters – the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. The IRG has confiscated an Indian owned oil tanker forcibly and took it to a port in Iran. The Shipping Corporation of India’s (SCI) tanker was taken in international waters for allegedly causing  pollution. Note India and Iran’s relations have been quite friendly, despite USA meddling. India has been forced to reduce imports of oil from Iran under USA pressure. Apart from some small noises made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there has been no reaction from the Indian ruling establishment. Iran is under huge pressure from the sanctions imposed by the western powers for its alleged nuclear weapons program. This lashing out against India does not make much sense.

Read on GWI List of Oil & Gas Companies in India.

The reason is that India is seen as a soft power and Iran feels safe in confiscating a ship owned by India. India’s corrupt and self centered leadership is an easy game for one and all. The UPA is mired in corruption and the economy is taking a huge knock. Pakistan is also provoking the country by firing mortars at the borders to push terrorists. There seems little hope that things will change in India and it will continue to plod forward as a weak power in the near future.