Balancing Act in the Persian Gulf: India’s Relations with Iran in the Current Crisis

The escalation in the Persian Gulf illustrates how strongly Asian countries depend on stability in the region. India in particular faces a foreign policy balancing act: while maintaining close ties with the United States and Israel, it continues to rely on pragmatic cooperation with Iran for energy supply and regional connectivity. The current crisis therefore raises the question of how India can preserve its strategic autonomy without putting its economic and security interests at risk. This country report examines the importance of India-Iran relations in light of the recent developments.