Both are bound, neither with siding: where India stands on Israel -Iran struggle

Last update:June 13, 2025, 10:06 IST

As the tension between Tehran and Tel Aviv threaten to increase regional peace, India is moving carefully, living neutral while protecting long -running interests on both sides

Closed in one of the most dangerous face-offs in recent history with Israel and Iran, India’s diplomatic playbook is clear: stay neutral, avoid growth, and protect the main interests. India’s messaging is consistent-de-escation, restraint and diplomacy with Iran, from defense partnership with Israel to energy and connectivity projects, from energy and connectivity projects.

How has India set its position on Israel -Iran struggle

Over the years, India has developed a well-defined template: a one that reflects strategic neutrality, avoids public alignment, and leads to its basic interests-peace, stability and safety of Indian citizens abroad.

Constant neutral, intentional measured: Whether the 2012 New Delhi bombing, 2021 Gaza War, or 2024-25 missile exchanges reply, India has either avoided naming the party as aggressive. Its official language remains continuously:

• “We are deeply worried about increasing enmity”
• “We urge all sides to exercise restraint”
• “Need to return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue”

Such phrases are not casual. This allows India to maintain necessary, necessary to navigate connectivity with Iran while navigating strategic relations with Israel.

Condemnation without attention: In 2012, when an Israeli diplomat’s car was bombed in New Delhi – a case that Israeli officials publicly associated with Iran – India condemned the incident as a “terrorist attack” and started an investigation. But this reduced the naming of Iran, reflecting a conscious option to publicly escape.

A similar pattern 2021 was seen during the Israeli -Mass struggle. India condemned violence from all sides, including Hamas’s rocket attacks, but also urged Israel to ensure civil security, which balances its developed defense relations with Israel and long support for the Palestinian state.

Status as a responsible stakeholder: In the growth of 2024–25, India’s statements began to move subtle as neutrality just for active concern for regional stability. Mea not only called for restraint, it also deployed India as a country invested in peace: “We are seriously worried … and urge all sides to avoid further instability of the region.” – Ministry of External Affairs, April 2024

This framing is seen as a stable power in West Asia with the aspirations of India – not only a passive observer but a reliable regional actor.

Pay attention to citizens: During any regional conflict, India’s immediate attention has been continuously protecting its migrants. In every flare, the Ministry of External Affairs has responded rapidly, issuing travel advice, maintains close coordination with embassies, and is evident about ideological postures.

The pattern came true again today. The Indian Embassy in Israel on Friday issued a new advice, urging Indian citizens to be vigilant and to follow security instructions.

In a post on X, the embassy said: “In view of the current situation in Iran, all Indian citizens and people of Indian origin are requested to be cautious, avoid all unnecessary movements, follow the social media accounts of the embassy and follow the security protocol as per the advice by local authorities.”

Calm diplomacy on public posture: Unlike other major powers, India rarely offers to publicly mediated or visually intervened. But its functions, maintaining channels with both Israel and Iran, the convenience of backchal dialogue, and confusing the Gulf players, shows the calm effect on the declared diplomacy.

This asana allows India to talk to the two sides either without isolating – a calculated position that keeps its options open in West Asia.

India-Israel Relations: A Strategic Pillar

India’s relationship with Israel has increased rapidly over the last decade, especially in defense, intelligence and technology. Israel is one of India’s top defense suppliers, providing drones, radar systems, missiles and more. especially:

• India has bought a Barak-8 air defense system, jointly developed by Israel Aerospace Industries and DRDO.
• India has also acquired Heron and Hermes drones, which are used for mass monitoring and targeted operations.

In October 2023, after the Hamas -led attack on Israel, India condemned the attack in strong words and expressed solidarity with the people of Israel, traditionally a rare departure with a neutral tone in the struggles of West Asia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and PM Benjamin Netanyahu have talked several times, including in September 2024, when Modi called for calm and emphasized India’s support for Israeli’s right to self -defense, while also urged restraint.

Why India will not separate Iran

Despite the increasing proximity with Israel, India is reasons for being associated with Iran. The most important of them: Chabahar port.

In May 2024, India signed a 10 -year agreement with Iran to develop and operate Shahid Beheshti Terminal in Chabahar. The deal between Indian Ports Global Limited and Iran’s ports and marine organizations is a major component of India’s connectivity strategy for Central Asia and Afghanistan, which is significantly bypassing Pakistan. This includes plans to expand the port infrastructure and integrate operations with the International North-South Transport Corridor (Instc).

Iran has also historically been one of the major crude oil suppliers of India. While direct imports have declined rapidly due to US sanctions, limited backchainal energy trade continues.

Security cooperation also remains in the game, although quietly. In May 2025, National Security Advisor Ajit Dowal interacted with Iran’s top security officer, Ali Akbar Ahmedian, during which the two sides agreed to find out regional cooperation on anti-terrorism and maritime security. The meeting confirmed that high-level strategic contact between New Delhi and Tehran continues, despite the increased Israel-Iran tension.

Israel-Iran Sangharsh: Why does it matter to India

The growing struggle between Israel and Iran exceeds a distant geo -political flashpoint, it has direct economic and strategic implications for India. With more than 85 percent imports of its crude oil, India is very unsafe for disruptions in energy supply and pricing, through or near the Gulf. Any military growth in the region – especially near important shipping lanes such as hormuz’s straight – the risk of increasing oil prices, increasing India’s current account deficiency and fueling imported inflation.

Beyond energy, conflict can stress India’s Balance Act in West Asia. While India has deepened strategic relations with Israel, it also depends on Iran for regional connectivity, especially through the Chabahar port and the International North-South Transport Corridor (Instc). A long -term struggle can complicate both diplomatic engagement and logistics on that front.

Most seriously, instability in West Asia is also a threat to the safety of more than nine million Indians working in the Gulf region, causing regional peace not only a priority of a foreign policy, but a domestic imperative.

Israel -Iran struggle how affects the world

West Asia is the home of some of the most important energy corridors in the world, and any disintegration near the straight of the hormuz can shock the supply of global oil and gas. Brent crude prices have already reacted to early attacks, and prolonged war risks lead to an energy shock that waves in economies that are still recovering from the effects of Russia-Ukraine conflict and subsequent Pandit inflation.

This conflict also threatens to widen the mistake lines between the global powers with the US, Russia and China, pursuing competitive interests in the region. Escaletion may be attracted to non-state actors such as Hizbullah and can expand violence in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, which increases regional stability on the verge. For global markets, a broader war means high energy costs, flying to safe-heaven assets, increase in military expenses, and prolonged instability at a time when economic feeling is delicate.

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