India's Strategic Calculus
Non-Alignment and West Asia Policy
India has maintained a policy of strategic non-alignment in West Asian conflicts, cultivating relationships simultaneously with Iran (energy imports, Chabahar port), Israel (defence imports, technology), Gulf Arab states (Indian diaspora remittances, energy), and Palestine (traditional UN support). The escalating Iran-US-Israel conflict places this multi-directional engagement under stress.
- India-Iran relations: Chabahar Port (Shahid Beheshti terminal) — India is investing approximately $85 million to operate the port; it is India's gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia via the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC); India imported significant Iranian oil before US sanctions (2018 waiver allowed India to continue imports for a period)
- India-Israel relations: India is one of Israel's largest arms customers; cooperation in UAVs (Heron, Harop), missile systems (Barak-8 jointly developed), radar systems, and intelligence
- India-Gulf relations: Indian diaspora in GCC countries: approximately 8.9 million (2023); remittances from Gulf constitute a significant share of India's overall remittance inflows (~$87 billion in FY2023-24)
- India's energy dependence: India imports approximately 85% of its crude oil; Gulf states (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq) are among the top three suppliers
- India's diplomatic position: India has consistently called for diplomatic resolution of the Iran nuclear issue; supported JCPOA framework; abstained on or supported de-escalation resolutions at UNSC
● Tracked since February 28, 2026 · last seen August 09, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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