Iran-Israel conflict: What it means for India’s stakes in the region

Story highlightsA potential spillover of war in the region could become a major reason of worry for New Delhi given the presence of massive diaspora, including blue collar workers spread out in the vast expanse of industrial-oil complex that powers the region’s economy.

Hours before Iran launched more than 300 projectiles on Israel during Saturday (April 13) through early hours of Sunday (April 14), an Israel-linked cargo with 17 Indian onboard was seized by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. WION first reported that New Delhi is in touch with Tehran to ensure the release of Indian nationals on the seized vessel.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday (April 14) expressed serious concern at the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran. “We are seriously concerned at the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran which threatens the peace and security in the region. We call for immediate de-escalation, exercise of restraint, stepping back from violence and return to the path of diplomacy. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation. Our embassies in the region are in close touch with Indian community,” it said in an official readout.

However, it is not just 17 Indians aboard that ship that are at risk, but thousands of Indian nationals in Iran and Israel could be at the risk of being trapped in a conflict zone. While Israel has not yet responded to Iranian attack on its soil, a military response inside Iran cannot be ruled out. 

Indian interests in the region

There are about 10,000 Indian nationals in Iran while about 18,000 Indians live in Israel. New Delhi shares cordial to warm ties with both Iran and Israel. 

While Israel said that it destroyed “99 per cent” of projectiles launched by Iran inside its territory, it remains unclear if Tehran would continue such attacks inside Israel to purportedly avenge April 1 strikes on Iran’s consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus.

Also watch | Iran attacks Israel: US Navy dispatches nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower

But a potential spillover of war in the region could become a major reason of worry for New Delhi given the presence of massive diaspora, including blue collared workers spread out in the vast expanse of industrial-oil complex that powers the region’s economy.

But New Delhi’s stakes in the region go much deeper than this. 

The focus of Delhi-Tehran ties in the past few years has been the development of Chabahar port, located just 200 km away from China-funded Gwadar port in Pakistan. Just in January this year, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar visited Tehran and the two sides committed a “long-term cooperation framework” for the Chabahar port.

Also read | The Capitals: New Delhi achieves crucial strategic breakthrough with Tehran outreach

Besides, India’s trade boom with Russia as well as the strategic interests in Chabahar Port have brought International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) — a Russia to India trade route via Iran — back into focus. 

Iran is at the center of International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) | WION

The studies have found the INSTC route is more cost and time effective than the Suez Canal route for the trade of goods between India, Russia, Iran and the countries in central Asia. 

A conflict in Iran and Israel could impact New Delhi’s growing stakes in the region in-line with its credentials as the world’s fastest growing major economy. 

Mukul SharmaMukul Sharma is a New Delhi-based multimedia journalist covering geopolitical developments in and beyond the Indian subcontinent. Deeply interested in the affairs

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