West Asia (Middle East) occupies a central place in India’s foreign policy due to its importance for energy security, diaspora welfare, trade, and strategic connectivity. The region supplies a large share of India’s crude oil and natural gas imports, making it vital for sustaining the country’s economic growth. Additionally, the region hosts nearly 10 million Indian expatriates, whose remittances form an important component of India’s foreign exchange earnings.

India also maintains deep economic and strategic partnerships with several countries in the region, including Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. Israel is a key defense technology partner for India, providing advanced surveillance systems, drones, and missile technologies. Meanwhile, Iran is strategically important due to projects such as the Chabahar Port, which allows India access to Afghanistan and Central Asia while bypassing Pakistan.

Key strategic interests for India in West Asia include:

• Energy security: Ensuring stable supplies of oil and gas.
• Diaspora protection: Safeguarding the welfare of millions of Indian workers.
• Trade and investment: Strengthening economic ties with Gulf economies.
• Connectivity projects: Initiatives such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

India’s response to the ongoing Israel–U.S.–Iran conflict has generated debate because observers believe it appears more cautious and less balanced than India’s traditional policy of strategic autonomy. Historically, India has tried to maintain good relations with multiple actors in West Asia, including Israel, Iran, and Arab countries. This approach allowed India to protect its energy interests, maintain diplomatic flexibility, and avoid being drawn into regional rivalries.

However, recent developments—such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel shortly before the escalation of hostilities and India’s muted response to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—have led some analysts to argue that India may be appearing closer to the U.S.–Israel strategic axis. Critics believe this could weaken India’s ability to maintain neutrality and mediate in regional conflicts.

The debate revolves around several strategic concerns:

• Balancing partnerships: India must maintain ties with both Israel and Iran.
• Energy security: Iran and Gulf countries remain important energy suppliers.
• Diplomatic credibility: Neutrality enhances India’s ability to act as a mediator.
• Strategic autonomy: Avoiding excessive alignment with major powers.

The conflict in West Asia directly affects India’s energy supply chains, economic stability, and the safety of its diaspora. The region is one of the world’s largest producers of oil and natural gas, and disruptions caused by war can lead to sharp increases in global energy prices. Since India imports more than 80% of its crude oil requirements, any escalation in the region can significantly increase the country’s energy import bill and contribute to domestic inflation.

Another critical concern is the welfare of Indian nationals living and working in West Asia. Approximately 10 million Indians reside in the Gulf region, many of whom are employed in construction, services, and domestic work. In times of conflict, their safety becomes a major concern for the Indian government, which may need to undertake large-scale evacuation operations similar to past missions such as Operation Raahat (2015) in Yemen.

The broader implications for India include:

• Rising energy prices affecting inflation and economic growth.
• Threats to Indian diaspora living in conflict-prone regions.
• Disruptions to maritime trade routes in the Persian Gulf.
• Delays in connectivity projects such as IMEC.

India’s foreign policy in West Asia has historically been guided by the principle of multi-alignment, which involves maintaining productive relations with multiple regional powers simultaneously. Israel is an important partner for India in areas such as defense technology, intelligence sharing, and agriculture. The United States, meanwhile, is India’s largest strategic partner in terms of defense cooperation, trade, and geopolitical coordination in the Indo-Pacific region.

At the same time, Iran remains a strategically significant partner. Beyond oil imports, Iran plays a crucial role in India’s connectivity strategy through the Chabahar Port, which provides access to Afghanistan and Central Asia while bypassing Pakistan. Iran also holds geopolitical importance in relation to developments in Afghanistan and regional security dynamics.

Balancing these relationships involves several challenges:

• Strategic partnerships with Israel and the U.S. in defense and security.
• Geopolitical cooperation with Iran in connectivity and regional diplomacy.
• Maintaining credibility among Arab Gulf states.
• Avoiding alignment that undermines strategic autonomy.

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was announced during the G20 Summit in 2023 as an ambitious connectivity project linking India to Europe through the Middle East via railways, ports, and energy infrastructure. The corridor was envisioned as a strategic alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and aimed to strengthen trade links between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

However, the project has lost momentum due to rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia. The Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 and the subsequent regional conflicts significantly disrupted political cooperation among participating countries. Infrastructure corridors require long-term stability and investor confidence, both of which have been undermined by the ongoing security challenges in the region.

Key factors behind the slowdown include:

• Regional instability caused by conflicts in Gaza and broader West Asia.
• Lack of investor confidence due to security uncertainties.
• Political disagreements among regional stakeholders.
• Absence of detailed implementation plans and financing frameworks.

If the conflict in West Asia escalates further, India would need to adopt a multi-dimensional policy response aimed at protecting its strategic interests while minimizing economic and humanitarian risks. The first priority would be ensuring the safety of Indian citizens in the region. The government may need to activate emergency evacuation mechanisms similar to past operations such as Operation Raahat in Yemen (2015) or Operation Ganga in Ukraine (2022).

Another critical dimension is energy security. Escalating conflict could disrupt oil and gas supplies or push prices significantly higher. India would need to diversify energy sources by increasing imports from alternative suppliers such as the United States, Russia, and African countries. At the same time, strengthening domestic renewable energy production would help reduce dependence on volatile external markets.

A comprehensive strategic response could include:

• Diplomatic engagement: Advocating ceasefire and dialogue through international forums.
• Energy diversification: Expanding long-term supply agreements with multiple producers.
• Diaspora protection: Preparing evacuation plans and consular support systems.
• Strategic neutrality: Maintaining balanced relations with all parties.