Why India can’t pick sides in Israel-Iran conflict

Israel’s military said Iran launched 100 drones in retaliation for its strikes on Tehran’s nuclear programme on Friday (June 13). The escalation of tensions has sparked concerns of a full-fledged war between the two rivals in West Asia.

Israel said its strikes on Iran targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders, killing top Iranian military officials and nuclear experts. India, which has close ties with both nations, has called for de-escalation and “dialogue and diplomacy”.

“We are deeply concerned at the recent developments between Iran and Israel… India urges both sides to avoid any escalatory steps. Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to work towards a de-escalation of the situation and resolving underlying issues,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Friday.

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Issuing a travel advisory, the ministry asked Indian nationals to avoid travel to Iran and Israel until further notice.

New Delhi has had a balanced relationship with both Israel and Iran. An escalating conflict between the two could threaten that.

Let’s take a closer look.

India’s ties with Israel

India enjoys strategic ties with Israel. The relationship has grown in the last decade, particularly in the sectors of defence, intelligence, and technology.

Israel is one of India’s top defence suppliers, arming the South Asian country with drones, radar systems and missiles.

India showed public support for Israel within hours of the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas.
India and Israel share similar concerns about extremism and terrorism, with citizens of both countries being killed during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

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New Delhi has pressed for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve Israel’s war in Gaza, which has killed more than 55,000 people in the narrow strip.

Abstaining in the UN General Assembly on Thursday from a vote on a draft resolution that demanded an “immediate, unconditional and permanent” ceasefire in Gaza, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish said that India has previously also abstained from resolutions on the Israel-Palestine issue.

“Our vote today is in continuation of this in the belief that there is no other way to resolve conflicts but through dialogue and diplomacy. A joint effort should be directed towards bringing the two sides closer. For these reasons, we would abstain on this resolution.”

India’s ties with Iran

India and Iran share historical and cultural relations. Post-Cold War, New Delhi has tried to maintain cordial relations with most countries in West Asia. Iran, which shares borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan, is a key player in the region.

India and Iran share common concerns about the Taliban’s Sunni extremism and Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan.

Trade and connectivity have defined New Delhi’s ties with Tehran. However, the US’ sanctions on Iran have affected India’s relations. In 2019, America sanctioned Iranian oil amid its concerns about Tehran’s nuclear programme and its ballistic missile development.

India has not imported crude oil from Iran since the US sanctions.

Chabahar port in Iran is also significant for India’s economic interests. Last year, India signed a 10-year pact to develop and operate Iran’s strategic Chabahar Port. The port provides India an alternative route to enhance trade ties with landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asian countries, bypassing Pakistan.

The International North South Corridor (INSTC) also enhances India and Iran’s ties. Initiated by the two, along with Russia, in September 2000, the 7,200-kilometre transit route aims to increase trade and connectivity among its 13 members.

Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Belarus, Oman and Syria are also part of the ambitious project.

How Iran-Israel conflict impacts India

Given its relations with both Iran and Israel, New Delhi cannot pick sides if a conflict widens between the two rivals in West Asia.

However, India was put in a precarious position in February 2012 when an Israeli diplomat’s car was bombed in New Delhi and Israel blamed Tehran for the attack.

India had denounced the incident as a “terrorist attack" and launched an investigation, but stopped short of naming Iran.

For New Delhi, a potential escalation between Iran and Israel would impact its people, economic and strategic interests in West Asia.

There are 18,000 to 20,000 Indian nationals in Israel, including students, and around 85,000 Jews of Indian origin. As per Livemint sources, as of 2023, there may be around 32,000 Indian workers in Israel.

More than 10,700 Indians currently reside in Iran, including traders and academics. About 90 lakh people are living and working in Gulf nations and the West Asia region. A broader conflict will impact the Indian community in the region.

In recent years, India has boosted its ties with major countries in West Asia. It has worked with all key players to push for the India-Middle-East-Europe Economic corridor, which has strategic and economic benefits for New Delhi, noted Indian Express. 

An all-out war in oil-rich West Asia could shoot up energy prices. The region accounts for 80 per cent of India’s oil supplies. A potential conflict will threaten the supply, sending prices up.  

It could also strain India’s balancing act in West Asia, affecting India’s neutral diplomacy.

With inputs from agencies