Indian analyst: Reversing the Iranian nuclear deal under Trump is unlikely

New Delhi, Nov 23, IRNA - A distinguished Indian professor in International Relations believes that reversing the Iranian nuclear deal with six world powers would be unlikely under the next US President Donald Trump. In an exclusive interview with IRNA here, Dr. Swaran Singh of the Centre for International Politics, Organization and Disarmament, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, said, “Given the high stakes of several major powers as also in its being seen as a success of Obama presidency, the Iran nuclear deal is not likely to be reversed in any hurry. For sure, this deal that needed to be further operetionalized through actual initiatives and further treaties may not be followed up by the same enthusiasm and may see slowing down of its implementation which should suit the Iranian elite who had come under unusually harsh global searchlights. This will provide Iran with new opportunities to maneuver with new options and better pursue its national objectives” On the US policy towards the Middle-East under Trump, the seasoned analyst of the world affairs said, “Trump's policy towards the Middle East is likely to be far more assertive compared to the Obama’s. It's also likely to be far more inclined in favour of Israel or at least that is the image given his anti-Muslim rhetoric. Israel-Palestine issue has in any case moved to the back burner given the rise of the so called Islamic State (Daesh) which has consumed much of global scrutiny. Trump presidency may also see shrinking of America's global engagements to focus totally on redeeming domestic economic and social crises.” “Middle-East conflict remains too complicated to expect any quick solutions and Trump does not show the sagacity required to inspire any such promise. Rise of the so called Islamic State has only complicated it further and given Trump’s preference for naval gazing the Middle East is surely good by to be his top priority” Dr. Swaran Singh added. On the US policy towards Russia under Trump, Dr. Swaran Singh said, “Given his praise of President Putin, President Trump would seek to explore working with rather than against Russian intervention in Syria. But this is easier said than done as their equations in Syria are part of their overall equations as defined in terms of space and time.” “This means that Trump's policy choices are not open ended and his changed tone after winning presidential elections already reflects how this new realisation is clearly dawning upon him.” Terming the Yemen war as not important for the US interests, he said, “America's closest friend in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, has got too deeply entangled in Yemen and will continue to greatly influence, if not determine, Trump's policy choices. Yemen is also not so critical to American interests to compel it to override Saudi strategies. This mean that Yemen will continue to be on the boil.” “Indeed, local powers like Iran will have greater space to manoeuvre in several minor conflicts given that US may be winding down this focusing only on major crisis like the so called Islamic State which seems to threaten core interests of American society.” Dr. Swaran Singh added. On Trump’s possible policy towards India, the Indian professor said, “Like most other countries, Indian power elite also believe that President Trump will be different compared to candidate Trump. This is usually the case thought Trump campaign had crossed too many redlines. Secondly, as he builds his team, there will also be other minds at work as also great circumsception likely to come from political vision and traditions of the Republican Party which has usually had better relationship with New Delhi.” “The recent major transformation in India-US relations is credited to George Bush jr presidency. Plus, candidate Trump had also made some positive remarks about India, so India may not have much to worry. And finally, it's surely not a matter of choice and Modi government will have to engage with whosoever taken over into White House.' 1378/IRNA