The growing confrontation between Israel and Iran is worrying India. Professional advocates caution that the bill as written might actually undermine the nation’s energy security and the administration’s regional connectivity initiative. Harsh V. Pant, Vice President of the Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation (ORF), highlighted that an escalation of violence in the Middle East jeopardizes Indian interests.
That firestorm got worse when the US Government told the world via Associated Press that it had bombed all of Iran’s nuclear sites over the weekend. The unexpected militaristic move has raised alarms about the future of the entire region, which is central to India’s energy security. India has cultivated substantial investments and interests across the expanse of the Middle East. This development leaves India particularly exposed to any disruptions from the ongoing war.
Pant emphasized the importance of stability in the Middle East for India, stating, “India’s energy security is linked to the stability in the Middle East. … So India has no interest in the widening of this conflict and the conflict continuing in the region.” A drawn-out war would be disastrous not only for energy security. Equally concerning, it will affect keystone infrastructure initiatives that India has pioneered with its like-minded regional partners—most notably Japan.
One other flagship project is the development of the port of Chabahar located in southeastern Iran. This port greatly enhances India’s connectivity to Afghanistan and Central Asia. The port has increasingly become a central part of India’s effort to create trade routes that skip over Pakistan entirely. With rising Israeli-Iranian tensions threatening to compromise these initiatives, Indian interests remain vulnerable.
India walks a careful tightrope in its foreign policy, developing strong relationships with both Israel and Iran. Indeed, while continuing to depend on Israel for military backing, it at the same time continues to strengthen its own economic relationships with Tehran. This multidimensional relationship highlights India’s strategic balancing act in addressing regional realities.
Iranian security guards patrol the port of Chabahar with sniffer dogs. The deepening conflict continues to darken the horizon of India’s initiative in the region. Analysts warn that any significant disruption at Chabahar would set off a cascading effect. This would cut off critical trade and energy supply lines necessary for India’s continued growth.
The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) continues to monitor developments closely, urging policymakers to consider the broader implications of the Israel-Iran conflict on Indian interests. The think tank’s analysis demonstrates an increasing understanding of the role of geopolitical conflict. These interconnected tensions pose serious risks to U.S. national security and economic stability.