Part of International Relations — India and the World. Common notes for UPSC Mains GS-II.
UPSC
📌 Background & Key Features
Context: A region historically central to India’s energy security (crude imports) and diaspora/remittances has faced compounding shocks — Gaza war, Iran-Israel escalation, Red Sea shipping disruptions (Houthi attacks) and now the 2026 Iran war.
Economic impact: Airspace closures, shipping route disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz/Red Sea, and volatile oil prices directly affect India’s import bill and inflation management.
IMEC slowdown: The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, unveiled at G20 2023, has seen implementation stall amid the broader regional conflict, raising questions about its near-term viability against China’s BRI.
📰 Current Affairs Linkage (2025-26)
India hosted BRICS Foreign Ministers talks in New Delhi (May 2026) amid open India-mediated efforts to build consensus on the West Asia conflict, with Iran publicly accusing the UAE of blocking BRICS unity on the issue.
PM Modi and EAM Jaishankar undertook a round of West Asia/North Africa visits (Dec 2025) including Jordan (first standalone PM visit in 37 years), Oman, UAE and Israel, reflecting intensified crisis diplomacy.
India is engaging on Gaza reconstruction/peace-plan phase 2 discussions, balancing its historic support for Palestinian statehood with deepening Israel ties.
