Strategic Studies Quarterly

Abstract      From 1947 until end of 1980s, India had taken a third world orientation in its foreign policy; however, it has consequently inclined towards economic pragmatism. Therefore, the question is that what reasons have led India towards this change. In response, the author raises the hypothesis that: demise of ethical orientation; growth of nationalistic views, realism and liberalism in the country, structural changes of the international system and replacement of bi-polar system with a uni-polar one and finally the Chinese military and economic rapid growth have cause the said change in the Indian foreign policy. This paper illustrates the reasons and uses the theory of balance of interests.  

Abstract Abstract Today the importance of soft power, since of the developed process of globalization and rapid reduction of the role of hard power peered. In the international relations, more than before in order to access foreign policy targets of each country. The country of India since of enjoying history and civilization of several thousand years old, and the existence of different religions and cultures have had a potential for accessing soft power which has manifested in the form of foreign policy, political values and culture of this country. This article attempts to tell again about chances and also challenges which India is facing, in order to ever more access to soft power which would be in order to gain access to national goals of this country.

Abstract in recent years Diasporas are considered as an international non-state actor and has played important roles in international arena and foreign relations of states. Because of their important role and status, some scholars consider them as soft power instrument that can be used in political, economic, and technological scopes. Diasporas, depending on their relations with host and home countries, try to affect political trends in both of them. The question of this article is that: how Diasporas affect foreign relations of countries? In response to this question, author examines Indian diaspora and their methods to influence India-USA bilateral relations. Hypothesis of article argues that diaspora use direct and indirect political and economic methods to affect bilateral relations.

Abstract nuclear tests of India and Pakistan in 1998 as a key transformation in the east of Iran had made new strategic consideration in this region. This transformation, beside continuous conflict between India and Pakistan, and changes in U.S. relations with both countries under the shadow of military nuclear tests, had caused the need of studying impacts of India and Pakistan nuclear program on Iran's national security. The main question of this article is: how can we analyze the consequences of India and Pakistan nuclear tests on Iran's national security? In response to this question, authors argue that the nuke tests had three consequences: 1. Iran's eastern security environment has been more internationalized, 2. this region has been more insecure, and 3. It has intensified international pressures on Iran's nuke program.

Abstract Geopolitics of gas has opened a new chapter in international relations in which centers of production, consumption and transit routes of energy as well as influential trans-regional powers are considered. As the world's second biggest country possessing gas reserves, Iran can greatly affect strategic relationships in energy sector if it develops an agenda based on geopolitics. Thus it can find the value for establishing strategic relationships. In this regard, the hegemonic power has made all efforts in order to manage the Persian Gulf's regional affairs, and every of the regional political units which adopts a confrontational position towards the hegemonic power will be pressurized. The existing evidence demonstrates that Iran is valued simply in a non-competitive international milieu for non-hegemonic powers. India’s increasing need to gas energy as a non-hegemonic power has provided Iran with a strategic chance; however numerous (regional and trans-regional) parameters have challenged the transit of Iran’s gas to that country. The author holds that in the case of the formulation of an agenda based upon geopolitical location, Iran can secure its national interest in the utilization of existing opportunities.