India has found itself in a delicate position, balancing its strategic partnerships with key nations while navigating the complexities of global diplomacy. With an increasing number of geopolitical tensions—from the Middle East to Eastern Europe—India’s ability to maintain good relations with conflicting parties demonstrates its unique approach to foreign policy. A recent example of this balancing act has been on display as the Indian Navy conducted exercises in Iran while simultaneously calling for peace amid Iran’s missile attacks on Israel.
In a striking moment that highlights India’s balancing of its alliances, Indian naval ships, including INS Tir and INS Shardul, docked in Iran’s Bandar Abbas on October 2, 2024. These vessels will partake in joint naval drills with Iranian forces in the Persian Gulf, a move that underscores the significance of Indo-Iranian cooperation. This partnership is particularly crucial for India’s strategic and economic interests, as Iran serves as a gateway to Central Asia and provides a vital link for the safe passage of energy imports through the Persian Gulf.
However, this naval engagement comes at a sensitive time, as the Middle East sees renewed conflict. On October 1, Iran launched approximately 200 missiles at Israel, a majority of which were intercepted or missed their targets. The incident has escalated tensions in the region, prompting the United States to deploy additional military forces in the Middle East. For India, which values its relationship with both Israel and Iran, this is a critical test of its diplomatic dexterity.
In response to the mounting conflict, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging restraint and diplomatic resolution. While India condemned the October 7 attacks by Hamas as acts of terrorism, it also expressed an understanding of Israel’s need to respond. This highlights India’s commitment to maintaining good relations with both Israel, a close defense and economic partner, and Iran, a key player in regional stability and energy security.
India’s ties with Israel have grown in recent years, marked by a bilateral agreement signed in 2023 that will see 100,000 Indian workers sent to Israel, addressing labor shortages amid Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas. At the same time, India continues to deepen its cooperation with Iran, especially through its investments in Chabahar Port—a strategic asset for India’s access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
India and Iran: Expanding Strategic Cooperation
India’s involvement in the Chabahar Port project is a cornerstone of its strategy to circumvent Pakistan in accessing landlocked Central Asian markets. In May 2024, after years of negotiations, India and Iran formalized a long-term agreement to develop the port further, reinforcing India’s presence in a vital trade route that links South Asia to Europe via Central Asia. For New Delhi, Chabahar is not just about commerce; it is also a way to counterbalance China’s growing influence in the region, particularly as Beijing expands the Gwadar Port in Pakistan, a mere 170 kilometers away.
This latest naval collaboration between India and Iran, the first of its kind involving an Indian training squadron, follows previous engagements between the two countries’ navies. Earlier in 2024, Iranian naval ships visited Mumbai, and Iran’s warship Dena participated in India’s Milan-24 naval exercises. These actions signal the growing importance of Iran in India’s strategic calculus, even as Tehran continues to play a controversial role on the global stage.
India Foreign Policy: From Non-Alignment to Multi-Alignment
India’s approach to foreign relations has long been marked by a pragmatic and flexible stance. From its early years as a leader of the Non-Aligned Movement during the Cold War, India has evolved into a nation that practices “multi-alignment with strategic autonomy.” This shift allows India to engage with a wide array of global powers, pursuing its national interests without being bound to any one camp.
This policy has enabled India to maintain strong ties with Russia, even as it strengthens its relationship with the United States. The procurement of the Russian S-400 missile defense system, for instance, did not stop New Delhi from pursuing closer defense ties with Washington. Similarly, despite being one of Russia’s largest energy customers in the wake of Western sanctions, India has not alienated Ukraine, offering humanitarian aid and maintaining diplomatic lines of communication.
As Major General Mandip Singh (retired) of the United Services Institution of India explains, “Every nation pursues a foreign policy that suits its national interests. India’s ability to maintain relationships with conflicting nations—whether it be Israel and Iran, or Russia and Ukraine—shows the pragmatic and progressive nature of its foreign policy.”
India’s balancing act has also been evident in its response to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, India has walked a fine line, refusing to condemn Moscow outright while providing humanitarian assistance to Kyiv. New Delhi’s refusal to align with Western sanctions on Russia is grounded in its need to secure continued energy supplies and military equipment from Moscow, which remains a vital defense partner.
At the same time, India has engaged diplomatically with Ukraine, with Prime Minister Modi making a landmark visit to Kyiv, the first such trip by an Indian head of state since Ukraine’s independence in 1991. Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar have been instrumental in maintaining communication channels with both Moscow and Kyiv, underscoring India’s efforts to play a constructive role in seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Despite this, India’s trade with Russia has surged, particularly in the energy sector, as it takes advantage of discounted oil prices. This pragmatic approach reflects India’s determination to prioritize its own economic and energy security, even as it maintains a diplomatic balancing act between Moscow and Kyiv.
The Middle East remains a crucial region for India, not only as a source of energy but also as a hub for investment and strategic cooperation. India has cultivated close ties with Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, securing vital energy deals and investments. The India-Middle East Economic Corridor (IMECC), launched in partnership with these nations, is a key initiative aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and boosting trade.
However, the recent escalation in Israeli-Palestinian tensions has complicated India’s position in the region. Arab nations, particularly those in the Gulf, have publicly criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza, while India has maintained a careful stance of supporting Israel’s right to self-defense while advocating for restraint. This delicate balance is crucial for India as it seeks to preserve its relationships with both Israel and the Arab world.
The I2U2 forum—comprising India, Israel, the UAE, and the United States—has also faced challenges amid rising tensions. India’s involvement in this grouping underscores its commitment to fostering regional cooperation, but it must navigate the shifting dynamics of Middle Eastern politics carefully.
As conflicts in Europe and the Middle East continue to unfold, India’s role on the global stage has grown more significant. With its strategic partnerships across different regions, India is in a unique position to act as a mediator and a voice for the Global South. The world’s eyes are on New Delhi as it strives to leverage its diplomatic capital to foster peace in regions where its interests are deeply intertwined.
“Recent wars in Europe and the Middle East have placed India in a unique position, one that has the respect and trust of all the affected parties,” says Major General Singh. “This places an onerous responsibility on India to become the voice of the Global South on the international stage.”
As India continues to navigate the complexities of global diplomacy, it remains to be seen how it will balance its relationships with conflicting nations while safeguarding its own strategic interests. The outcome of this balancing act will not only shape India’s role in global politics but also its ability to act as a bridge between East and West, North and South, in a rapidly changing world.
