Why has India chosen US-Israel over Iran? A West Asia expert explains the shift

While Prime Minister Modi was quick to condemn Iran's strikes in the Gulf, New Delhi largely maintained a notable silence regarding the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. By withholding both a formal condemnation of the US-Israeli strikes and any expression of condolence until the Foreign Secretary finally signed the condolence book at the Iranian Embassy, India appeared to have effectively chosen a side in the conflict. So, what factors underpinned this strategic shift?

In an interview with Newslaundry, Prof. AK Ramakrishnan – formerly of the Centre for West Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University – attributed India's response to the geopolitical pressures exerted by the United States.

“Much of this [not condemning Khamenei’s killing] is not because India and Iran are fighting on various issues. It’s the circumstances created by US policy and sanctions... and India’s own willingness... not to resist sanctions on Iran,” Ramakrishnan said. He noted that, by contrast, China has continued importing Iranian oil despite US pressure, even though India and Iran have historically enjoyed friendly political ties.

To mitigate the economic aftershocks of the war, Ramakrishnan suggested that India must urgently diversify its oil imports. Addressing the recent report of an Iranian warship being torpedoed by the US in the Indian Ocean, he called the incident a “major concern” and urged India to activate backroom diplomatic channels to prevent further escalation in its own backyard.

Watch the full interview to hear his expert views on:

- The US-Israel alliance’s claims that Iran was nearing nuclear weapon acquisition.

- The historical and modern rivalries shaping the region.

- The long-term economic and diplomatic costs of the war for India.

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