Can India play balancing role in West Asia? Experts on China shift, Trump risks

India faces a severe commercial LPG crisis, triggering panic buying and forcing restaurants to adopt firewood. The government has invoked the Essential Commodities Act, prioritising domestic supply and increasing production by 25 per cent. While 70 per cent of fuel imports now bypass the Strait of Hormuz, 90 per cent of LPG remains dependent on this route.

Tensions escalated after Iran attacked a Thai-flagged ship bound for Gujarat, and an Iranian warship, IRIS Leban, sought shelter in Kochi following a submarine attack. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has maintained diplomatic contact with Russia and Iran to manage regional stability.

Simultaneously, the Union Cabinet has eased Foreign Direct Investment norms for Chinese companies in the electronics and solar sectors. This strategic shift occurs as experts debate the risks of economic dependence on China amid unresolved border disputes. With nearly one crore Indians residing in the Gulf, the government is recalibrating its foreign policy to safeguard energy security and national interests during the ongoing West Asia conflict.