INDIA'S ROLE IN THE MIDDLE EAST -BALANCING IRAN, ISRAEL AND SAUDI ARABIA

India’s Role in the Middle East: Balancing Iran, Israel, and Saudi Arabia

📅 Posted on April 8, 2025✍️ By Advocate Manoj Ambat, Editor-in-Chief – Strategic Vanguard

🌍 Why India’s Middle East Strategy Matters

The Middle East is undergoing a tectonic shift. As old rivalries simmer and new partnerships emerge, India finds itself in an increasingly pivotal position. From securing energy routes and infrastructure investments to managing religious sensitivities and strategic alliances, India’s foreign policy in the Middle East is a masterclass in diplomatic balance.

In this article, we’ll unpack how India navigates its relationships with Iran, Israel, and Saudi Arabia — three nations often in direct conflict with each other, yet all vital to India’s national interests.

🇮🇱 India and Israel: Defense, Tech & Trust

India’s relationship with Israel has evolved from silent cooperation to strategic partnership.

• Israel is now one of India’s top defense suppliers.

• There’s active collaboration in cyber warfare, space tech, AI, and agriculture.

• India has openly embraced Israel while maintaining its position on Palestinian rights — a balancing act respected by both sides.

Key takeaway: This relationship is driven by realpolitik and national security, not ideology.

🇸🇦 India and Saudi Arabia: Energy Meets Economy

India sources over 17% of its crude oil from Saudi Arabia, and the Kingdom is home to more than 2.5 million Indian expatriates.

• Bilateral trade exceeded $50 billion in 2023.

• Recent years have seen deeper investment ties, with Saudi Arabia investing in Indian infrastructure, renewable energy, and tech sectors.

• Cultural and religious diplomacy also plays a big role, as India facilitates Haj pilgrimages for thousands of Indian Muslims.

Key takeaway: India sees Saudi Arabia not just as an energy supplier, but a strategic investor and regional influencer.

🇮🇷 India and Iran: Ancient Roots, Strategic Port

India’s ties with Iran are historically rich but diplomatically sensitive.

• Iran was once a top oil supplier to India until U.S. sanctions disrupted imports.

• India’s investment in Chabahar Port is key to bypassing Pakistan and accessing Afghanistan and Central Asia.

• However, progress has been slow due to geopolitical tensions and Chinese influence.

Key takeaway: Iran remains a strategic gateway, and India cannot afford to lose it to Chinese dominance.

⚖️ The Multi-Alignment Strategy

India’s foreign policy is often described as “non-aligned,” but the more accurate term today is “multi-aligned.”India maintains ties with:

• Iran (a rival of the U.S.)

• Israel (a U.S. ally and Iran’s adversary)

• Saudi Arabia (a Sunni powerhouse wary of both Iran and Israel)

And yet, India avoids entanglement, focuses on economic growth, and retains its strategic autonomy.

🚧 Challenges Ahead

• U.S. Sanctions: Limit India’s ability to re-engage Iran fully.

• China’s Expansion: China’s deals with both Iran and the Gulf threaten India’s influence.

• Israel-Gaza Conflicts: These test India’s diplomatic balance between its historical support for Palestine and current ties with Israel.

🌐 Conclusion: The Indian Way Forward

India’s foreign policy in the Middle East is a fine-tuned dance — one that balances energy needs, defense partnerships, diaspora diplomacy, and regional strategy.It’s a story of non-confrontation, long-term planning, and quiet influence.

As the world grows more polarised, India’s multi-alignment model may well become a blueprint for middle powers navigating 21st-century geopolitics.

🧠 Want a deeper dive?🎥 Watch our latest YouTube episode:India’s Role in the Middle East | Balancing Iran, Israel & Saudi Arabia