New Delhi
14 January 2006
It's business as usual for Indians and Iranian
nationals of Indian origin living in Tehran, despite fears of a confrontation
between Iran and the West.
About 200 Indian families live in Iran today.
The community feels it is "too early to tell" what impact the threat of
referring Iran to the United Nations Security Council will have on their
businesses or lives.
"First let the cat-and-mouse game between the Western powers led by the
United States and Iran play itself out," says Mr Amarjeet Singh Sahni, who
runs a factory with his Iranian partners outside of Tehran. Mr Sahni's wife,
Neena, does not share his stoicism; she fears things could get worse.
Mr Sahni, however, admits if the situation worsens and ports are closed
or restrictions placed on imports, it will affect business. "Certainly my
Iranian partners are worried. Their main worry is how to bring raw material
if the port is closed," he says. Mr Sahni's company imports raw material
from Japan, South Korea and India.
"On September 24 (when India voted against Iran), I was with my friends
and they wanted to know why India did so. People you met in the streets
may have upset for a few days but all was normal soon enough," he
narrated over the telephone and hoped India-Iran relations will remain on
an even keel irrespective of how India votes again.
Mr Mohinder Singh Patwalia, who holds a British passport, is the
secretary of the Gurudwara founded in 1941 by Bhai Ganga Singh Sabha
at Avenue Hidayat, Avenue Tonkabon, opposite Iran Hospital, in Tehran.
Mr Patwalia says, "There could be some effect on our living conditions
but otherwise there is nothing to fear." He is enthused by US President
George Bush remarks, who has said that the Iran issue should be
resolved peacefully.
An Iranian national, Mr Surinder Singh, echoes Mr Patwalia's sentiments.
However, Mr Rajinder Singh Shahpuri, an importer of tyres, is
circumspect; "Cannot predict," he quips in response to questions about
the likely turn of events.
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