By Dr. Golnaz Saeedi
International Affairs Researcher
International Peace Studies Centre – IPSC
Introduction
The Parsis of India are descendants of a historic migration following the fall of the Sassanian Empire. They are not only bearers of a segment of Iran’s cultural, religious, and civilisational memory but have also emerged as one of the most successful diasporic communities of Iranian origin in the Indian subcontinent. Despite centuries of geographical separation from their ancestral homeland, this community has maintained profound ties to the spiritual, linguistic, and ritual heritage of Iran.
In the current regional and international context, the Islamic Republic of Iran can leverage the cultural, economic, and social capital of the Parsis to devise a novel strategy for enhancing its soft power, cultural diplomacy, and the representation of Islamic-Iranian civilisation in South Asia. This article analyses the opportunities available to Iran by focusing on the Parsi community’s cultural elements, civilisational symbols, and economic stature, with the aim of deepening transnational bonds and fostering purposeful engagement with this distinguished community.
The findings suggest that a discerning and non-instrumentalist revival of these ties could elevate the regional standing of Islamic Iran while advancing cultural, scientific, and economic objectives within the framework of public diplomacy.
The Parsis of India: A Civilizational Bond with Islamic Iran
The Parsis of India are descendants of a historic migration triggered by religious and social pressures following the collapse of the Sassanian Empire and the spread of Islam in Iran. Around the 8th century CE, they sought refuge in western India. According to the traditional narrative known as the Qissa-i Sanjan, a group of Zoroastrians from southern Iran crossed the Persian Gulf and settled in Sanjan, Gujarat, after securing asylum from a local ruler. In exchange for sanctuary, they pledged respect for local customs, thereby securing their right to reside.
Despite centuries of geographical separation, this migrant community has demonstrated remarkable fidelity to Iran’s religious, linguistic, and cultural traditions, preserving a fragment of Iranian-Islamic civilisational memory in India. Though adhering to Zoroastrianism, the Parsis’ cultural and linguistic elements remain vessels of Islamic-Iranian civilisational concepts. Notions such as Asha (truth/righteousness), “Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds,” and reverence for nature, alongside the preservation of Sassanian architectural motifs and rituals, reflect the enduring spirit of Iranian culture.
While Gujarati and English dominate daily use, the community’s familiarity with Persian and Avestan vocabulary, and their employment of Avestan alphabet (din dabire) for religious texts, underscores their linguistic ties to Iran. Terms like “Atashkadeh” (fire temple), “Namaz” (prayer), “Fravashi” (divine spirit), and “Ahura” remain vibrant in their cultural lexicon.
Ancient festivals such as Nowruz, Mehregan, Sadeh, and the Gahambars are meticulously observed. Rooted in Iran’s spiritual calendar and cultural ethos, these rites, alongside Zoroastrian architectural symbols (e.g., fire temples) and traditional religious attire, constitute a living civilisational memory within India.
Historically, ties between Iranian Zoroastrians and the Parsis were sustained through clerical exchanges, textual transmission, and cultural synods. In the modern era, collaborative projects between Iranian and Parsi scholars, ranging from Avestan language preservation to sacred text restoration and documenting Zoroastrian traditions, highlight this bond’s potential to reinforce the identity of Islamic-Iranian civilisation globally.
Strategic and Cultural Dimensions
The Islamic Republic of Iran could strategically engage the Parsi community as a transnational capital to bolster its soft power and cultural diplomacy in South Asia. As custodians of part of Iran’s cultural heritage, the Parsis could play an important role in Persian language education, religious tourism, academic collaborations and shared cultural discourse.
The Parsi community, is not only a part of ancient Iran, but could also play an important role in the region, in the framework of Dialogue of Civilisations of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Leveraging this civilisational potential is a strategic imperative for Iran’s cultural, religious, and diplomatic institutions to recalibrate its global image and expand the sphere of influence of Islamic-Iranian civilisation.
Economic Influence of the Parsi Community in India
Despite their small population, the Parsis have played an important role in modern India’s industrial, economic, and institutional development. From the 19th century onward, particularly under British colonialism, their modern education, expansive relations with colonial structures, and Zoroastrian work ethic positioned them at the forefront of entrepreneurship and economic modernisation.
Prominent families like the Tatas, Godrejs, Wadias, and Petits founded corporations, banks, shipping lines, educational institutions, and charities that remain pivotal to India’s macroeconomic landscape. These families were not merely investors but moral and structural innovators in India’s emergent capitalism.
Examples of Parsi Economic Influence:
- The Tata Group, founded 1868 by Jamsetji Tata: Now one of Asia’s largest multinational conglomerates, with ventures in automotive (Tata Motors), IT (TCS), steel (Tata Steel), hospitality (Taj Hotels), and energy.
- Godrej Group: A leader in consumer goods, home appliances, agriculture, and chemicals.
- Scindia Steam Navigation: Established by Parsi investors as India’s first national shipping line during colonial rule.
- Banking & Philanthropy: Parsis were instrumental in founding the Reserve Bank of India, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), and educational funds for women and marginalised communities.
This economic prominence is anchored in a Zoroastrian professional ethic emphasising “truth, precision, integrity, and social responsibility.” Parsi institutions prioritise public health, free education, and environmental conservation, fostering a positive reputation for trustworthiness in Indian society.
Strategic Opportunities for the Islamic Republic of Iran to Leverage the Socio-Economic Capital of the Parsi Community in India
From a strategic perspective, the Parsi community of India, as a key node of Iran’s civilisational diaspora, offers valuable opportunities to advance the Islamic Republic’s national interests in cultural, economic, and public diplomacy spheres. Given their social, economic, and cultural influence in India’s civic structure, targeted and apolitical engagement with this capital can be pursued, some of which will be discussed here:
1. Joint Investment in Knowledge-Based Industries and Emerging Technologies
The Parsis of India are particularly active in advanced sectors such as information technology, clean energy, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology, constituting a significant share of the country’s entrepreneurial elite. The Islamic Republic of Iran can facilitate their human and financial capital inflows by establishing frameworks in, Special Economic Zones, Exclusive Industrial Zones and Science and Technology Parks. Such platforms could foster bilateral collaboration, especially in technology exports and knowledge-based production, aligning with Iran’s developmental priorities.
2. Expansion of Religious and Medical Tourism
Given the emotional and religious ties many Parsis maintain with Zoroastrian sites in Iran (e.g., Yazd, Kerman, Fars, and Tehran), developing religious tourism infrastructure could attract this demographic. Additionally, Iran’s high-capacity healthcare and medical services present a viable avenue to draw Parsi medical tourists.
3. Educational and Cultural Institution-Building Collaborations
The Parsis’ historical legacy in founding schools, academic centres, and cultural foundations in India provides a foundation for strategic educational exchanges with Iran. Potential initiatives include, establishing Persian language chairs in Indian universities, promoting Iranian Studies programs and co-producing multilingual content on shared heritage. These efforts would form part of a broader soft-power and elite engagement agenda between the two communities.
4. Leveraging Iranian-Origin Brands in the Global Economy
Internationally recognised brands like Tata, Godrej, and other Parsi-founded enterprises hold untapped potential for collaboration in, national branding initiatives, export promotion of Iranian cultural goods (e.g., carpets, saffron, tea, handicrafts) and enhancing the global image of Iranian-Islamic heritage. Strengthening cultural ties with these institutions through economic diplomacy could provide Iran’s cultural bodies with unparalleled opportunities to project soft power.
Diplomatic Considerations and Framework for Engagement
Engagement with the Parsi community of India requires a nuanced understanding of their cultural and social particularities. As a predominantly secular, politically independent group with a distinct historical identity, they are deeply sensitive to any political or ideological instrumentalisation of their heritage. Thus, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s cultural policy must be grounded in mutual respect, soft-power approaches, and an emphasis on shared civilisational legacy.
Cultural and Public Diplomacy Opportunities for Iran
A key opportunity lies in the Parsis’ role as custodians dimensions of Iran’s historical culture within modern Indian society. The persistence of Nowruz celebrations, Persian and Avestan linguistic elements, Sassanian architectural motifs, Zoroastrian symbols, and other cultural markers in Parsi life creates fertile ground for soft-power investments.
When approached strategically, the Parsi community can function as a transnational civilisational bridge for the Islamic Republic of Iran, advancing cultural, economic, and even political interests, provided the engagement is delicately balanced, non-political, and reciprocal. Harnessing this historical potential demands cultural policy making aligned with Iranian-Islamic civilisation, and strategic vision among Iran’s cultural, diplomatic, and economic institutions.
Challenges and Prerequisites for Constructive Engagement
Despite these opportunities, effective collaboration requires awareness of the Parsi community’s unique realities:
- Secular Orientation: Parsis are largely Western-educated and secular, treating Zoroastrian identity more as a cultural symbol than a doctrinal commitment.
- Political Neutrality: They prioritise cultural autonomy and avoid entanglement with India’s political factions and are neutral on international issues.
- Demographic Decline: Their dwindling population raises existential concerns about generational continuity.
Thus, Iran’s outreach must be non-colonial in tone, culturally anchored rather than ideological, and explicitly reciprocal to avoid perceptions of appropriation. Over-politicisation or overt ideological framing risks triggering distrust and undermining the very ties Iran seeks to strengthen.
Strategic Opportunities for the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Foreign Policy Regarding the Parsi Community of India
The Parsi community of India, as living bearers of Iranian cultural heritage within South Asia’s civilizational context, presents unique opportunities to strengthen the Islamic Republic of Iran’s soft power and cultural influence. Through thoughtful engagement with this opportunity, Iran can take meaningful steps to reinforce civilisational ties, expand cultural diplomacy, and deepen multifaceted interactions with India’s cultural and economic elites. The key strategic opportunities include:
1. Expanding Iran’s Soft Power Through Linguistic and Cultural Diplomacy
- Promoting Persian Language Education: Supporting Persian language programs in Parsi-affiliated schools, associations, and educational centres can help revitalise identity-based connections with Iran.
- Textual Revival: Sponsoring the translation, publication, and dissemination of Avestan, Pahlavi, and Zoroastrian religious texts in Persian and English, in collaboration with cultural and Zoroastrian institutions, can foster interfaith dialogue and reinforce shared civilisational roots.
- Academic Exchange: Deploying scholars of Iranian-Islamic civilisation to Parsi academic centres can serve as an effective model of Iran’s public cultural diplomacy.
2. Developing Spiritual and Heritage Tourism Based on Religious-Cultural Commonalities
Given the Parsi community’s reverence for Zoroastrian sacred sites in Iran, such as the Yazd Fire Temple, Chak Chak Pilgrimage, Sassanian relics in Fars, and historical sites in Kerman, there is significant potential for religious tourism. Measures to facilitate this include:
- Streamlining visa processes
- Designing specialised Parsi-oriented tourism packages
- Enhancing cultural and service infrastructure at key religious sites
Such initiatives could deepen transnational connections between Iran and the global Zoroastrian diaspora.
3. Leveraging the Parsi Elite Network in India’s Civil and Media Institutions
Parsis hold influential positions in India’s media, education, legal, healthcare, and urban governance sectors. Targeted engagement with Parsi elites in these fields can help improve Iran’s cultural and civilisational image among India’s intellectual circles. Effective tools for this include:
- Organising civilisational dialogue forums
- Facilitating cultural and academic delegations
- Strengthening ties between Iranian Zoroastrian associations and the Parsi community
4. Enhancing Economic and Technological Cooperation Within a Framework of Mutual Benefit
Given the Parsi community’s strong presence in India’s private sector, particularly in innovative industries and global brands, Iran can explore:
- Establishing an Iran-Parsi Chamber of Commerce to facilitate joint economic ventures
- Encouraging Parsi-led companies to invest in Iran’s free trade zones, science and technology parks, and green energy and health tech sectors
These connections can be an opportunity to advance Iran’s economic diplomacy in South Asia.
Conclusion
The Parsi community of India, with its deep Iranian roots, represents a potentially significant and influential focal point for the Islamic Republic of Iran’s soft power in South Asia. Having migrated to India in the early centuries of the Hijri calendar, they have preserved their Zoroastrian faith and traditions while emerging as a leading economic, scientific, and cultural force in India, occupying a unique position in the civilisational ties between the two nations. Their potential in spheres such as industry, technology, education, institution-building, and social responsibility have made them one of the most successful Iranian-origin diaspora communities in the world.
A strategic, non-instrumental, and prudent engagement with this community would not only enhance Iran’s cultural diplomacy but also unlock diverse opportunities in: religious and medical tourism, academic and scientific collaboration and joint investments in knowledge-based industries.
In an era where cultural power and public diplomacy are built on narrative, identity, and historical memory, leveraging transnational capitals like the Parsi community is a strategic imperative for reshaping Iran’s global image and expanding its regional soft-power influence.
However, this potential can only be realised if Iran’s cultural policies are, forward-looking, transcend ideological rigidities and are grounded in mutual benefit.
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