India watching Iran-Israel conflict closely amid growing fears over trade and energy risks
- New Delhi has urged de-escalation on both sides, reflecting deep worries about regional instability
- Analysts say energy imports are a major cause for concern, in addition to trade and security risks
“India’s stakes are high. Depending on how the crisis unfolds, India may be forced to make certain choices,” said Harsh V Pant, vice-president of studies and foreign policy at the Observer Research Foundation.
“Trade and energy security are top priorities. If the conflict worsens, the lives of Indian citizens and economic security will be affected,” Pant warned.
Analysts say India’s swift calls for de-escalation following the drone strikes, as well as Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s phone calls to both his Iranian and Israeli counterparts, demonstrate how concerned New Delhi is about the situation.
At a public event on Monday, Jaishankar stressed the government’s concern over “an enormously sensitive region” and urged calm. “I’m only saying that for the rest of the world and definitely for India, we would like to find ways of de-escalating the situation,” the Indian minister added.
