MAINS Current Affairs includes The Iran–India Civilizational Relationship & CBSE Relaxes Three-Language Formula for Students

International Relations

1. The Iran–India Civilizational Relationship

Context: Iran invited the Prime Minister of India to attend the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, highlighting the enduring importance of India–Iran ties despite regional geopolitical complexities.

India–Iran Relations

1. Civilisational & Historical Ties
   • India and Iran share one of the world’s oldest civilisational relationships.
   • The Indus Valley Civilization traded with Mesopotamia through the Persian Gulf nearly 4,000 years ago.
   • Persian served as the court language during the Mughal period, influencing Indian literature, architecture, art and administration.
   • Around 15% of India’s Muslim population is Shia, creating strong religious and cultural links with Iran.

2. Diplomatic Relations

• Formal diplomatic relations were established in 1950.
• Major agreements include:
  • Friendship Treaty (1950)
  • Tehran Declaration (2001)
  • New Delhi Declaration (2003)
• Regular high-level visits and bilateral dialogues have strengthened cooperation.

3. Connectivity Cooperation

• India and Iran signed an MoU (2015) to jointly develop Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar Port.
• Chabahar provides India direct access to:
  • Afghanistan
  • Central Asia
  • Russia
  • Europe
• It reduces dependence on Pakistan for land connectivity.

4. Energy Partnership

• Between 1990 and 2018, Iran remained India’s second or third largest crude oil supplier.
• Iran offered:
  • Freight discounts
  • Flexible payment terms
  • Rupee payment mechanism
• It played an important role in India’s energy security.

5. Trade Relations

• Bilateral trade peaked at nearly $17 billion when oil trade was included.
• Non-oil trade remained significant at $2.33 billion (2022–23).
• India enjoys a trade surplus.
• The Joint Commission on Bilateral Trade (1983) reviews economic cooperation.
• A Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) is also in force.

6. Iran’s Diplomatic Support to India

• In 1994, Iran refused to support a Pakistan-sponsored OIC resolution on Kashmir at the UN Human Rights Commission.
• This demonstrated Iran’s willingness to support India’s core interests despite pressure from the Islamic bloc.

Significance of Iran for India

1. Gateway to Central Asia

• Iran is India’s only practical land gateway to:
  • Afghanistan
  • Central Asia
  • Russia
  • Eurasia
• It bypasses Pakistan and strengthens India’s continental connectivity.

2. Energy Security

• Iran possesses:
  • World’s second-largest natural gas reserves.
  • Among the largest crude oil reserves globally.
• Diversifies India’s energy imports and enhances long-term energy security.

3. Strategic Importance of Chabahar Port

• Located on the Gulf of Oman, about 170 km from Gwadar Port (Pakistan).
• Provides India strategic access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
• Acts as India’s counterbalance to the China-backed Gwadar Port under CPEC.

4. Regional Security

• Iran plays a pivotal role in the stability of West Asia, the Persian Gulf, and Afghanistan.
• Cooperation with Iran helps India address challenges related to terrorism, extremism, maritime security, and regional conflicts.

5. Strategic Autonomy

• Engagement with Iran enables India to pursue its policy of strategic autonomy by maintaining balanced relations with all major powers in West Asia, including Israel, Iran, and the Gulf countries.

Concerns in India–Iran Relations

1. U.S. Sanctions

• American sanctions disrupted:
  • Oil imports
  • Banking channels
  • Trade
  • Investments
• India stopped importing Iranian crude in May 2019 after US sanctions were reinstated.

2. Declining Energy Cooperation

• Iran’s share in India’s crude imports has fallen sharply.
• India diversified imports from countries like Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Russia.

3. Slow Connectivity Projects

• Progress of:
  • Chabahar Port
  • INSTC
• has been slowed by sanctions, financial constraints and geopolitical uncertainty.

4. Balancing Multiple Partnerships

• India must carefully balance relations with:
  • Iran
  • Israel
  • United States
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
• Example: India is part of I2U2 while continuing strategic engagement with Iran.

5. Regional Instability

• Conflicts around the Strait of Hormuz threaten:
  • India’s energy imports
  • Maritime trade
  • Safety of the Indian diaspora.

6. Low Trade Potential

• Banking restrictions.
• Logistics bottlenecks.
• Geopolitical uncertainty.
• These factors keep bilateral trade well below its potential.

Way Forward

• Adopt Calibrated Diplomacy: Maintain high-level political engagement with Iran through appropriate diplomatic representation and regular dialogue, while carefully managing sensitivities arising from regional conflicts and great-power rivalries.
• Promote Regional Peace and Stability: Support dialogue, de-escalation, freedom of navigation, and respect for sovereignty in West Asia to safeguard India’s energy security, diaspora interests, and long-term strategic presence in the region.
• Fast-track Connectivity Projects:Expedite the development of Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor to strengthen India’s access to Central Asia and Eurasia.

Conclusion

India–Iran relations are rooted in deep civilisational, cultural and strategic ties. Iran remains vital for India’s energy security, connectivity to Central Asia, and strategic autonomy. Going forward, India must pursue balanced and pragmatic diplomacy, strengthening cooperation with Iran while simultaneously maintaining its expanding partnerships with the United States, Israel and Gulf countries in an increasingly complex West Asian geopolitical landscape.

Polity & Governance

2. CBSE Relaxes Three-Language Formula for Students

Context: The Government clarified that CBSE students of Classes 7, 8 and 9 can continue studying foreign languages under the Three-Language Formula until they complete Class 10.

Three-Language Formula

What is it?

• A language policy aimed at promoting multilingualism, national integration, and preservation of Indian languages.
• Students learn three languages during school education.

Historical Background

• Recommended by the Kothari Commission (1964–66).
• Adopted under:
  • National Policy on Education (1968)
  • NPE 1986/1992
  • Re-emphasized in National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Provisions under NEP 2020

• Students will learn three languages with flexibility.
• At least two languages must be native to India.
• No language will be imposed on any State.
• States, regions, schools and students have flexibility in language choice.

Objectives of the Three-Language Formula

• Promotion of Multilingualism: Enhances linguistic competence among students; and encourages learning beyond the mother tongue.
• National Integration:Helps in cross-regional communication; and enhances the concept of ‘Unity in Diversity’.
• Preservation of Indian Languages: Helps in fulfilling constitutional responsibility through Articles 29, 350A and 351; and promotes the preservation of classical and regional languages.
• Cognitive and Educational Gains:NEP 2020 mentions that multilingual education increases cognitive and critical thinking abilities of students.
• Enhancement in Employability & Mobility:Helps in increasing educational and employability opportunities in India.

Issues & Challenges

Language Imposition Concerns

• Some southern states fear imposition of Hindi.

Federal Concerns

• Education is in the Concurrent List.
• States seek greater autonomy in language policy.

Shortage of Language Teachers

• Many schools lack trained teachers for regional and classical languages.

Implementation Challenges

• Rural schools often lack:
  • Teaching materials.
  • Adequate timetable flexibility.

Equity Issues

• Government schools usually offer fewer language options than private schools.
• May widen educational disparities.

Increased Academic Burden

• Learning multiple languages may increase workload for students.

Recent Measures

NEP 2020 Flexibility

• No compulsory language.
• Students and States have flexibility in language selection.

National Curriculum Framework (NCF)

• Promotes multilingual education.
• Emphasizes foundational literacy in the home language.

Mother Tongue-Based Education

• Medium of instruction up to Grade 5 (preferably Grade 8) should be in the mother tongue wherever possible.

Teacher Capacity Building

• NCERT and Ministry of Education are:
  • Training language teachers.
  • Developing multilingual teaching resources.

Technology Integration

• DIKSHA provides multilingual digital learning resources.
• Development of e-content in multiple Indian languages.

Other Related Initiatives

• NIPUN Bharat – Foundational Literacy & Numeracy.
• PM SHRI Schools – Model schools aligned with NEP 2020.
• Samagra Shiksha – Integrated school education programme.
• DIKSHA Platform – Multilingual digital learning.
• National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023 – Competency-based and multilingual education.
• Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat – Promotes cultural and linguistic integration among states.

Way Forward

Strengthen Cooperative Federalism

• Frame language policy through continuous Centre–State consultation.

Increase Flexibility

• Provide wider language choices based on regional needs and student preferences.

Improve Teacher Availability

• Recruit and train qualified teachers for all Indian languages.

Develop Quality Learning Resources

• Produce textbooks and digital content in all Scheduled Languages.

Leverage Technology

• Use AI-based translation tools and digital platforms for multilingual education.

Promote Mother Tongue Learning

• Strengthen foundational education in the mother tongue while encouraging multilingual proficiency.

Conclusion

The Three-Language Formula seeks to balance multilingual education, national integration, and preservation of India’s linguistic diversity. Its successful implementation requires flexibility, cooperative federalism, adequate teacher availability, and technology-enabled multilingual learning, while respecting India’s rich linguistic and cultural diversity.

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