Syed Khalique Ahmed
NEW DELHI—Blasting the myth about Iran, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, His Excellency Dr. Iraj Elahi, said here on Friday evening that Iran had acquired “self-sufficiency in agriculture, industrial products, nano-technology, and peaceful nuclear energy” during the last four decades of the Islamic Revolution in his country.
The Iranian Ambassador gave this information while speaking at a function to mark the 44th anniversary of Iran’s Islamic Revolution under the leadership of Imam Khomeini. The function was organized at the Iranian embassy here.
He pointed out that the path for the Iranian nation had not been very smooth in the last 44 years, and “the Iranian people and the government had gone through many conspiracies and problems, including imposed war, terror, economic sanctions or economic terrorism,” and recently “hybrid war” (combining military and non-military actions, including disinformation campaign).
“But with the help of national unity and wise leadership, the Iranian nation has been able to emerge phenomenal in different fields, the most important of which are self-sufficiency of agricultural products, industrial products, nano-technology, and peaceful nuclear energy,” Dr. Elahi highlighted while addressing guests who included ambassadors and representatives of several countries based in New Delhi. Indian Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbanand Sonowal was also among the guests.
Iran’s scientific achievements & empowerment of women
Stating that the literacy rate in Iran was 95 per cent, the Iranian Ambassador said that Iran ranked 16th among 200 countries in the world regarding scientific achievements.
Breaking the misconception and falsehood spread by Islamophobics in the non-Muslim world, particularly in Europe, that Islam came in the way of Muslim women to acquire education, Dr. Elahi said that female students in Iran at present accounted for 55 per cent of the total students. In addition, as many as 40 per cent of medicos and 33 per cent of professors in Iranian universities, according to Dr. Elahi, are women.
He gave credit to the Islamic Revolution for the empowerment of Iranian women.
Explaining Iran’s Islamic Revolution, he said it was a revolution brought out with the support of the Iranian people and under the leadership of Imam Khomeini.
“The revolution succeeded in toppling the Shah regime dependent on foreigners and established a system based on religious (Islamic) democracy, which allows the people to determine their political-social destiny through democratic mechanisms,” Dr. Elahi elaborated on the broad characteristics of Iran’s Islamic Revolution.
Iran’s Foreign Policy
Speaking about his country’s foreign policy, he said that it was based on the “principles and values of the Islamic Revolution.”
Elaborating on it, the Ambassador said, “Iran in the international arena is defending peace and justice, rationality, independence and rejecting discrimination, aggression, and foreign intervention.”
“Accordingly, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been with the oppressed nations of the world, including the people of Palestine,” Dr. Elahi told his audience.
Iran’s role in the stability and security of West Asia
Stating that “Iran has played a unique role in ensuring the stability and security of West Asia and the world”, he said that his country paid “a heavy spiritual and material price with its heroic efforts at the forefront of the fight against the sinister phenomena of terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking.”
Stressing that Iran had been strengthening relations with its neighbouring countries, the Ambassador said, “Undoubtedly, India is of special importance for the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
He said that a recent meeting of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Samarkand in 2022, in addition to regular visits of high-ranking officials of the two countries, was proof of this.
Trade Relations Between Iran and India
Stating that “external pressures have caused problems in trade between the two countries in recent years”, he said, “India’s strategic autonomy is still the biggest support for the continuation of this cooperation.”
The Iranian Ambassador also mentioned the Chabahar port developed by India. He said that Chabahar port is a gateway connecting Indian Ocean countries to Central Asia and the Caucasus.
