Why in the News?
The ongoing tensions in West Asia, particularly between Iran, Israel, and the U.S., have reignited concerns about a potential U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, which could have serious geopolitical and economic consequences.
How could a U.S.-Israel-Iran war impact India?
- Energy Security Risk: A war could disrupt oil exports from Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, through which 60% of India’s crude imports pass. Eg: During the 2019 U.S.-Iran tensions, India faced uncertainty in oil supply and had to cut Iranian imports.
- Geopolitical Imbalance: Collapse of Iran may increase U.S. dominance in West Asia, weakening India’s strategic depth and bargaining power. Eg: India’s balancing diplomacy between Gulf countries, Israel, and Iran would face strain, as seen when Chabahar Port talks slowed under U.S. pressure.
- Diaspora and Economic Fallout: War could threaten the safety of 8 million Indians in the Gulf and affect remittances and trade. Eg: During the 1990 Gulf War, India had to evacuate over 1.7 lakh citizens and faced economic shocks.
What is the difference between great power and super power?The terms “great power” and “superpower” both refer to influential countries, but they differ in scale, reach, and dominance.
How does the Iran-Israel conflict impact India’s great power status?
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How does multipolarity guide India’s foreign policy?
- Strategic Autonomy: India avoids aligning permanently with any one power bloc, maintaining independent decision-making. Eg: India is a member of both the QUAD and BRICS, balancing ties with the U.S. and China.
- Diversified Partnerships: Multipolarity enables India to build issue-based coalitions with different countries for mutual benefit. Eg: India partners with France on defence, Russia on energy, and U.S. on technology.
- Global Rule-Shaping Role: India promotes a rules-based order and voices the concerns of the Global South in global forums. Eg: India’s presidency of the G20 in 2023 emphasized inclusive development and reform of global institutions.
Why is Iran vital to India’s energy and strategy?
- Energy Security: Iran has vast reserves of crude oil and natural gas, essential for India’s growing energy needs. Eg: Before U.S. sanctions, Iran was among India’s top three crude oil suppliers.
- Strategic Connectivity: Iran hosts the Chabahar Port, offering India access to Afghanistan, Central Asia, and bypassing Pakistan. Eg: The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) runs through Iran, linking India to Europe.
- Regional Balance: Ties with Iran help India maintain a geopolitical balance in West Asia amid U.S., Israel, and Gulf influences. Eg: India engages Iran to counter China’s influence in the region, including at Gwadar Port in Pakistan.
How does India balance ties between major powers?
- Strategic Autonomy: India maintains independent foreign policy decisions without aligning fully with any bloc, ensuring flexibility in global affairs.
- Multi-alignment Approach: India engages simultaneously with the U.S., Russia, China, EU, and others, based on issue-specific interests.
- Issue-based Partnerships: India chooses partners depending on the context — cooperating with the U.S. on defense, Russia on energy, and China on trade, while managing conflicts diplomatically.
How can India promote peace in West Asia? (Way forward)
- Diplomatic Balancing: India can maintain neutral engagement with rival states like Iran, Israel, and the Gulf countries, promoting dialogue over conflict. Eg: India has strong ties with both Iran and Saudi Arabia, enabling it to act as a bridge-builder.
- Economic Cooperation: Promoting trade, energy ties, and infrastructure projects can foster interdependence and reduce regional tensions. Eg: India’s investment in Chabahar Port connects the region economically and supports stability in Afghanistan.
- Cultural and Diaspora Links: Leveraging its diaspora presence and civilizational ties, India can promote people-to-people engagement and soft power diplomacy. Eg: The 8-million-strong Indian diaspora in the Gulf enhances goodwill and mutual trust in the region.
Mains PYQ:
[UPSC 2014] Though 100 percent FDI is already allowed in non news media like a trade publication and general entertainment channel, the Government is mulling over the proposal for in creased FDI in news media for quite some time. What difference would an increase in FDI make? Critically evaluate the pros and cons.
Linkage: Evaluating the “pros and cons” necessitates an understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with foreign investment inflows, reflecting a part of India’s FDI challenge in attracting and managing capital effectively. This question directly related to the implications of increasing FDI in a specific sector.
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