India is opposed to sanctions against Iran as it affected the common people the most, but supports the US policy that Tehran should not have nuclear weapons, according to a US diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks.
According to the cable, in May 2008, the then Indian National Security Advisor, M K Narayanan, told a visiting delegation of American Senators Russ Feingold and Bob Casey that India and Iran have enjoyed civilisational links, India contains the second-largest Shiite population in the world, and any event in Iran could impact India because of their close geographic proximity.
However, Narayanan maintained, the Indian government has "bitten the bullet" and held the view that Iran should abide by the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), an unpopular position in India.
According to the cable, During Iranian President Ahmadinejad's visit to Delhi, the Prime Minister told him that India expects Iran to behave responsibly.
However, Narayanan saw the US and India diverging on the issue of sanctions.
He explained that the Shia clergy are more "sophisticated and erudite" than their Sunni counterparts, the cable added.
At the same time, he added, the Shia have a tremendous capacity to absorb punishment.
"Self-flagellation comes to them naturally," Narayanan commented.
"The imposition of sanctions punishes ordinary people, who then turn their anger outward," the cable quoted him as saying.
According to the cable, Narayanan contended that encouraging Iran to join the mainstream would produce more results.
"We are cautious about adhering to a broad attack on Iran, but we do not favor nuclear weapons in Iran," Narayanan clarified, the cable said.