The developing tensions between Iran and Israel have sounded an alarm about the likelihood of a wider war in West Asia. The situation is particularly critical for India because it has strategic interests in that region, given its emergence as a strong advocate for restraint and dialogue in such situations. This developing conflict threatens India’s economic interests, energy security, and regional stability. Since the race for access in the vital region of Afghanistan and Pakistan, the ties must be very cautious as India further deepens its relations with Israel and shows complex relations with Iran.
| GS Paper | GS Paper I, GS Paper III, GS Paper II |
| Topics for UPSC Prelims | Iran and Israel, West Asian region, Yemeni Civil War, United Nations, UN Refugee Agency, Natanz nuclear facility, Strait of Hormuz, Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Arab Spring 2011, Gulf Cooperation Council, Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements, Belt and Road Initiative, Organization of Islamic Cooperation. |
| Topics for UPSC Mains | Issues Related to West Asia Affecting India’s Interest, Measures can India Adopt to Balance its Relations to Western Asian Countries Despite Concerns. |
This editorial is based on “Escalation of West Asia conflict could hurt India” published in The Hindu Business Line on 06/10/2024. The article discusses the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, highlighting India’s strategic interests in the region.
This is directly related to the syllabus of international relations for UPSC aspirants, particularly about India’s foreign policy and global diplomacy. One finds such insight on geopolitical dynamics, energy security, and strategic diplomacy all rather useful for the prelims and mains examination.
The tensions between Iran and Israel on the escalatory ladder provide an opener to India’s strategic interest in West Asia given that there would be proper consequences on the minds of China and other nations about economic security and energy supply lines. It is very pertinent for UPSC aspirants as it relates back to questions on India’s foreign policy, regional stability in the subcontinent, and international relations.
A call for restraint and dialogue amidst rising tensions in particular, between Iran and Israel, is the hallmark of India’s strategic diplomacy in West Asia. Given its huge interests in the region, it underlines the aspect that stability must be maintained to ensure economic and energy security. It would urge for peaceful resolution of contentious issues while nevertheless remaining engaged through diplomatic channels to protect strategic interests.
It is part of these root causes when historical disputes, religious divides, geopolitical rivalries, and resource control combine to make up West Asia’s conflicts. External interventions and power struggles then feed fuel into the region to keep it at a constant state of violence and unrest.
West Asia is a hotbed of geopolitical competition between Iran and Saudi Arabia that breeds proxy wars such as the Yemeni Civil War. Here, Iran supports the Houthi rebels, whereas Saudi Arabia leads a coalition against them in its quest to try to exacerbate humanitarian crises. Other areas include tensions with Israel and Hezbollah that are perpetuating cyber warfare and airstrikes, further destabilizing the area.
The Sunni-Shia division has critical impacts on West Asia, fueling sectarianism and political unrest. Iran and Saudi Arabia are illustrative examples of the two sects; therefore their contradictions affect the sectors of Iraq and Bahrain respectively, where sectarianism features prominently. As an example, the Iraq War and the Arab Spring of Bahrain illustrate how religious identity-based conflicts fuel instability and violence and deeply affect the region’s socio-political landscape.
West Asia’s vast oil reserves are the hub for any nation to acquire control of resources. In the case of Iraq vs Kuwait and Gulf crisis between the two, the issue remains pertinent as control over oil and strategic waterways is the causal factor for much of the regional dynamics with OPEC deciding the oil prices, once again underlining economic importance and cause of contention over the resources themselves.
The colonial legacy in West Asia, marked by the Sykes-Picot Agreement, created artificial borders disregarding ethnic divisions, leading to long-term instability. The Kurdish struggle and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict are rooted in these arbitrary demarcations. Such legacies have perpetuated disputes and unrest, as seen in the ongoing challenges faced by the Kurds and Palestinians.
In West Asia, it is largely ruled by authoritarian regimes where repression and unrest are more common. The Arab Spring exposed widespread discontent, but to many of the regimes, it was a case of crackdown by the Assad regime in Syria. Then there are cases of human rights abuses that are being indulged in and reflect problems with democratic representation in the area, further exasperating instability and discontent that persist.
Foreign interventions, especially those led by the United States, were a significant factor affecting the stability of West Asia. US military intervention, well armed with strategical interests, was often the source of unintended outcomes in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. Interventions like these empowered hatred, prolonged instability, and increased fanatic forces-both of which affect the security balance in the region and its geopolitical alignment.
Issues in West Asia remain strategically relevant for India’s energy security, trade, and diaspora. Regional instability could threaten oil supplies, push up oil prices, and spur Indian worker remittances. This makes diplomatic efforts strategic in securing national interest.
West Asia is crucial for strategic energy security for India as the region constitutes over 60 percent of the country’s crude oil imports. Instability in the region manifests through oil price differential, which impacts the Indian economy. Diversification of energy sources has led India to sign accords with Russia, the U.S., and Latin America to reduce risks, build stable energy supplies and economic resilience in the face of regional uncertainties.
Worth over 8 million, the Indian diaspora in West Asia is a lifeline for remittances. This significantly supports Indian households. Economic downturns-the ‘Saudization’ policy in Saudi Arabia, for instance-can, impede remittances and, consequently, the prosperity of states like Kerala. The COVID-19 pandemic has, once again, exposed vulnerabilities, with the imperative to develop stable regional economies to sustain diaspora contributions.
India has healthy trade relations with the GCC: Bilateral trade with the GCC stood at USD 161.59 billion in FY 2023-24. Economic ties could be lost to instability in West Asia, which puts exports and food supplies at risk. Deals such as CEPA with UAE will provide a boost to two-way trade, but political tensions necessitate strategic economic diplomacy.
While strategic importance for India’s trade and energy security, maritime chokepoints, such as the Strait of Hormuz, are those routes facing threats from piracy or regional conflicts. Incidents like that of one of such routes of the capture of an Israel-linked cargo ship make the security of maritime trade lanes very imperative for India in protecting its economic interests and the regional connectivity at large.
Instability and uprooting generate terrorism, creating a roguish activity in West Asia, directly challenging India’s national security. While talking about South Asia or India, it is a playground of extremist groups such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda. FATF report underlines these threats and calls for the vigilant need to take care of the security interest of India by countering the terrorism that has been creating chaos in the unstable region amidst persisting conflicts.
Deep cultural and religious ties exist between India and West Asia, which in large measure dictate bilateral relations. In the Indian context, events within the region- particularly about Islamic holy sites- are profoundly domestic. Bilateral ties are molded around these interests, characterized by cultural diplomacy, mutual understanding, and cooperation.
The Belt and Road Initiative of China in West Asia challenges India’s strategic interest, as this development is also seen, for instance, in an Iran-Saudi Arabia rapprochement. The participation of India in the I2U2 group reflects India’s new strategic realignment between various geopolitical influences. This essay negotiates these rivalries with nuanced diplomacy by protecting India’s interests amid shifting regional dynamics.
It can maintain a balanced approach to diplomacy, converge energy cooperation, diversify its partnerships, and expand economic cooperation by keeping the engagements with West Asian countries on a strategically neutral trajectory.
India must not indulge in non-alignment vis-à-vis West Asian conflicts and continue to build bilateral relations with the key players. In this way, without overt alignment, India may remain above regional rivalries and enhance its image as a peace-promoting country. It is very essential for balanced diplomacy in matters like the Iran-Saudi rivalry and the Israel-Palestine conflict.
India needs to diversify sources of energy imports from West Asia so that its dependence on West Asia is reduced. The need for strong capabilities in renewable energy and trade with the GCC nations is of prime importance. India-UAE CEPA indeed offers vast potential for trade, but similar agreements with other GCC countries will be able to safeguard Indian economic interests in the face of regional uncertainties.
Strengthening diplomatic relations and engaging in regional multilateral forums are important for India. Its active engagement in the GCC, OIC, and Quad forums reinforces India’s character as a constructive regional actor. Engaging with the I2U2 forum for cooperation on food security, clean energy, and technology fortifies India’s diplomatic posture and its regional relationship.
A strong navy presence on the India Maritime Systems of the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea is necessary to secure access to maritime choke points. This can be achieved through joint exercises with Oman, the UAE, and the U.S., among other permutations. Bilateral defense agreements and counter-terrorism collaborations can be enhanced with the West Asian countries for the betterment of both security capabilities and stability in the region.
One important area is the expansion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and the collaboration of India with West Asian countries on renewable energy projects. Solar energy and hydrogen fuel projects are currently in line with India’s energy diversification strategy and provide a way to reduce regional conflict risks while allowing sustainable energy partnerships for the long-term energy security of India.
Collective advocacy for the welfare of the diaspora and mutual cultural exchanges would be important. Labor reforms and cultural festivals with host governments reinforce India’s soft power. Scholarships for education and technical training of students from West Asia further cultivate people-to-people ties, which foster goodwill and long-term bilateral relations.
| Political: India maintains open communication with both Iran and Israel, advocating for restraint and dialogue amidst tensions. This diplomatic balancing act is vital for managing its relationships and interests in the region, where the potential for broader conflict poses a significant concern for regional stability and humanitarian issues. Economic: West Asia is crucial for India’s energy security, supplying a significant portion of its oil. Regional instability could lead to fluctuations in oil prices, impacting the Indian economy. Additionally, trade relations and the well-being of over 8 million Indians residing in West Asia highlight the importance of stable conditions for economic interactions and remittance flows. Social: India’s concerns extend to the humanitarian implications of conflicts, particularly in Gaza, underscoring its commitment to global human rights. Culturally, India continues to promote ties and advocate for its diaspora’s welfare, reinforcing its soft power in the region. Technological: The use of cyber warfare between key regional players such as Iran and Israel necessitates that India protect its infrastructure and enhance its cyber capabilities to either withstand or mediate in these conflicts. Environmental: Control over oil resources and strategic waterways like the Strait of Hormuz remains a central environmental and economic issue, with conflicts often driven by the control of these critical resources. Legal: Navigating international laws and bilateral agreements carefully is essential for India to ensure its actions are aligned with global norms while protecting its strategic interests. |
With tensions escalating, strategic diplomacy in West Asia is something that India cannot afford to neglect. The New Delhi government, taking the principle of balance and issue-based diplomacy, can easily assume the posture of a stabilizing force. Aspirants for civil services must respect the subtlety in international relations, where the actions undertaken and designed by India while safeguarding national interests tend toward setting the stage for global peace and stability.
| UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) Mains Q. How will India’s entry into the United Nations Security Council affect its stance on Middle Eastern conflicts, particularly in relation to Israel and Palestine? (UPSC Mains 2015, GS Paper III) Q. Discuss the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz for global energy security. How does the geopolitical tension between Iran and Israel impact India’s energy interests in the region? |
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