Washington — The ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran are posing both economic and diplomatic challenges for India, according to former White House official Lisa Curtis.
In an interview with IANS, Curtis said India’s immediate concern is energy security, as the country depends heavily on crude oil imports from the Middle East. Rising oil prices triggered by the conflict could put pressure on India’s economy.
She also pointed to a diplomatic complication after the US reportedly targeted an Iranian vessel that had earlier taken part in a naval exercise hosted by India. Curtis described the situation as “embarrassing” for New Delhi and a potential source of strain in India-US ties.
According to her, India expects Washington to uphold a rules-based international order, including protecting maritime freedom and respecting sovereignty. However, she noted that recent US actions could be seen as disruptive to that framework.
Given the situation, India is maintaining a cautious and balanced approach. Curtis said New Delhi is trying to stay neutral while managing its strong ties with Iran alongside its strategic and economic partnership with the United States.
She added that India’s stance is similar to that of other US allies like Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom, which are also seeking to avoid direct involvement in the conflict while preserving their relationships with Washington.
Curtis further observed that the US appears somewhat isolated on its Iran policy, with allies reluctant to participate in military operations or deploy warships in sensitive regions such as key oil transit routes.
Instead, many countries are exploring non-military measures, such as stabilising oil markets and reducing risks to shipping, to support global stability.
On bilateral relations, Curtis said ties between India and the United States have improved in recent months, particularly with progress on an interim trade framework agreement. She also noted that US policy allowing Russian oil sales could indirectly benefit India by easing supply pressures.
However, she cautioned that unpredictability in US policymaking, especially under Donald Trump, is causing concern among global partners. According to her, this uncertainty may prompt India to adopt a more cautious approach in its dealings with Washington going forward.
With inputs from IANS