Harish varma: put up new pg

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{{pp-extended|small=yes}}{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}}
{{Campaignbox 2026 Iran war}}
[[India]] has remained neutral in the [[2026 Iran War]], which began on 28 February 2026 when the [[United States]] and [[Israel]] launched airstrikes on [[Iran]]. India condemned strikes on American bases, without mentioning Iran, while facing a domestic energy crisis linked to the conflict following [[2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis#Closure of the strait|the closure]] of the [[Strait of Hormuz]] by Iran.<ref name="a558">{{cite web | last=Roy | first=Shubhajit | title=Bahrain, Saudi hit by Iran, PM Modi speaks to rulers, condemns attacks | website=[[The Indian Express]] | date=2026-03-03 | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bahrain-saudi-hit-by-iran-pm-modi-speaks-to-rulers-condemns-attacks-10561850/ | access-date=2026-03-21}}</ref> The [[Indian National Congress]] condemned the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]-led Indian government for not condemning the attacks of the US and Israel against Iran.<ref name="e969">{{cite web | author= | title=Congress cries 'moral cowardice' over Modi govt's refusal to condemn US-Israel attacks on Iran | website=[[Telegraph India]] | date=2026-03-21 | url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/congress-slams-modi-government-for-refusal-to-condemn-us-israel-attacks-on-iran/cid/2152463 | access-date=2026-03-21|agency=[[Press Trust of India|PTI]]}}</ref>

==Diplomatic position==

The [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry for External Affairs]] expressed its concerns and requested all three nations for a ceasefire.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 February 2026 |title=Exercise restraint, prioritise civilians: India urges de-escalation in Middle East |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/exercise-restraint-prioritise-civilians-india-urges-de-escalation-in-middle-east-2875974-2026-02-28 |url-status=live |access-date=28 February 2026 |website=[[India Today]] |language= |archive-date=2 March 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260302083813/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/exercise-restraint-prioritise-civilians-india-urges-de-escalation-in-middle-east-2875974-2026-02-28 |last=Sharma|first=Shivani}}</ref> Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]], spoke with Gulf leaders, namely [[Abdullah II of Jordan|King Abdullah II]], King [[Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa]], and Crown Prince [[Mohammed bin Salman]] and condemned the strikes and attack on sovereignty without mentioning Iran.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 March 2026 |title=PM Modi Speaks To Saudi Crown Prince, Other Gulf Leaders Over Iran Conflict |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/israel-attacks-iran-pm-modi-speaks-to-saudi-crown-prince-other-gulf-leaders-on-iran-conflict-11160762 |url-status= |access-date=3 March 2026 |publisher=[[NDTV]]|agency=[[Press Trust of India]]}}</ref> Modi also spoke with the Israeli Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 March 2026 |title=PM Modi speaks with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu |url=https://ddnews.gov.in/en/pm-modi-speaks-with-israeli-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-stresses-civilian-safety/ |work=[[DD News]]}}</ref> The Indian government did not condemn the assassination of Khamenei, just like in similar previous cases.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 March 2026 |title=How Congress govts reacted to killings of Saddam Hussein, Gaddafi, attacks on diplomats |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/how-congress-govts-reacted-to-killings-of-saddam-hussein-gaddafi-attacks-on-diplomats-10563876/ |access-date=6 March 2026 |website=[[The Indian Express]] |language=|url-access=subscription}}</ref> However, [[Foreign Secretary (India)|Foreign Secretary]] [[Vikram Misri]] signed a condolence book a few days later without mentioning any background of Khamenei's demise.<ref>{{Cite web |title=After Telling Envoys Not to Sign Khamenei Condolence Books, India Finally Sends FS to Iranian Embassy |url=https://m.thewire.in/article/diplomacy/after-four-days-of-silence-india-sends-foreign-secretary-to-iranian-embassy-to-sign-condolence-book-for-ayatollah-khamenei |access-date=6 March 2026 |website=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]] |language=|date=5 March 2026}}</ref> India would also send two contigents of medical aid to Iran.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MSN |url=https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/india/compassionate-reliable-iran-envoy-thanks-india-as-second-shipment-carrying-medicines-to-tehran-dispatched/ar-AA20EYsr |access-date=2026-04-12 |website=www.msn.com}}</ref>

In March 2026, the film ''[[The Voice of Hind Rajab]]'' documenting the [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|Red Crescent]] response during the [[killing of Hind Rajab]], a six-year-old Palestinian girl, by the [[Israel Defense Forces]], was blocked by the Indian government, which said that the film could negatively impact [[India–Israel relations|India's relations with Israel]] amid the war with Iran.<ref>{{cite web | last=De | first=Abhishek | title=Why the government blocked this film | website=[[India Today]] | date=21 March 2026 | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/why-india-blocked-voice-of-hind-rajab-film-israel-ties-iran-war-2885124-2026-03-21 | access-date=21 March 2026 | archive-date=21 March 2026 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260321112523/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/why-india-blocked-voice-of-hind-rajab-film-israel-ties-iran-war-2885124-2026-03-21 | url-status=live }}</ref>

On 19 April, Iran closed Strait on Hormuz and fired on Indian ships.<ref name="c725">{{cite web | last1=Sharma | first1=Sukalp | last2=Roy | first2=Shubhajit | title=Iran closes Hormuz again, fires at two Indian carriers, Delhi summons Tehran envoy | website=The Indian Express | date=2026-04-18 | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/business/iran-hormuz-closed-indian-ship-cross-saturday-four-turn-back-10643827/ | access-date=2026-04-20 | archive-date=19 April 2026 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260419041751/https://indianexpress.com/article/business/iran-hormuz-closed-indian-ship-cross-saturday-four-turn-back-10643827/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Iran later stated that the shooting was not intentional.<ref name="j243">{{cite web | last=Sen | first=Abhijeet | title='Not intentional': Iran reacts after shorts fired at Indian-flagged ships in Strait of Hormuz | website=Latest News | date=2026-04-19 | url=https://www.india.com/news/not-intentional-iran-reacts-after-shorts-fired-at-indian-flagged-ships-in-strait-of-hormuz-8386566/ | access-date=2026-04-20}}</ref>

On 22 April, Iran seized an Indian ship seeking to cross Strait of Hormuz.<ref name="r538">{{cite web | title=India-bound ship among two vessels 'seized' by Iran Guards in Strait of Hormuz | website=The Hindu | date=2026-04-22 | url=https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/india-bound-ship-among-two-vessels-seized-by-iran-in-strait-of-hormuz-mundra-port/article70892792.ece | access-date=2026-04-25}}</ref>

==Analysis==
Indian National Congress condemned the 'targeted assassination' of Ayatollah [[Ali Khamenei]] and criticized the timing of [[Narendra Modi]]'s visit to Israel during the end of February.<ref name="q252">{{cite web | last1=Hallam | first1=Mark | last2=Vaid | first2=Dharvi | title=India news: Opposition criticizes Modi over Iran crisis | website=[[dw.com]] | date=2026-03-02 | url=https://www.dw.com/en/india-news-opposition-congress-criticizes-modi-over-iran-crisis/live-76179075 | access-date=2026-03-21|agency=[[Reuters]], [[Agence France-Presse|AFP]] and [[Asian News International|ANI]]}}</ref> Congress also criticised the lack of reaction of Modi government with regards to the attacks on Iran by the US and Israel.<ref name="e969"/>
Following the reports of Pakistan positioning itself as the major mediator for ending the war between the US and Iran, Congress leader [[Rahul Gandhi]] described foreign policy of Modi a "joke" on 23 March. One day later, Modi said India is in touch with the involved parties "to reach a peaceful solution as soon as possible" with regards to Iran war.<ref name="c590">{{cite web | last=Sobhan | first=Shakeel | title=Pakistan's mediator role in Iran war puts Modi in hot seat | website=[[dw.com]] | date=2026-03-24 | url=https://www.dw.com/en/india-pakistans-mediator-role-in-iran-war-puts-modi-under-pressure/a-76506689 | access-date=2026-03-27}}</ref>

''[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]]'', analyzing the role of Pakistan in mediation noted that, "emergence of Pakistan, alongside Egypt and Türkiye, as a primary back-channel interlocutor between Iran and the United States is a stinging strategic setback for New Delhi. For a government that has staked its reputation on isolating Pakistan and projecting India as the indispensable ''Vishwaguru'' under Narendra Modi's personal leadership, this development is nothing short of a political and diplomatic catastrophe."<ref name="e290">{{cite web | author= | title=Six Reasons Why Pakistan as US-Iran Interlocutor Is a Strategic Setback for India | website=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]] | date=2026-03-24 | url=https://thewire.in/news/six-reasons-why-pakistan-as-us-iran-interlocutor-is-a-strategic-setback-for-india | access-date=2026-03-28 | archive-date=26 March 2026 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260326101805/https://thewire.in/news/six-reasons-why-pakistan-as-us-iran-interlocutor-is-a-strategic-setback-for-india | url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Sinking of IRIS Dena|The sinking of IRIS ''Dena'']], returning to Iran from India after participating in [[International Fleet Review 2026|Naval exercises]] conducted by the Indian Navy, about 19 nautical miles (35 km; 22 mi) off the coast of Galle, Sri Lanka, in the Indian Ocean by the US, ignited debates on the effectiveness of India's self-proclaimed status as the "net security provider" in the Indian Ocean; considering India delayed a mobilization response to an attack well within its maritime sphere of influence, compounded by the fact that ''Dena'' had just been returning from a naval exercise conducted by the Indian Navy.<ref>{{cite web | last=Sharma | first=Yashraj | title=How US sinking of Iranian warship blew hole in Modi's 'guardian' claims | website=[[Al Jazeera]] | date=6 March 2026 | url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/3/6/how-us-sinking-of-iranian-warship-blew-hole-in-modis-guardian-claims | access-date=21 March 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Mohan | first=Deepanshu | title=IRIS Dena Sinking: Decoding India's High Stakes in the Indian Ocean | website=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]] | date=7 March 2026 | url=https://thewire.in/security/iris-dena-sinking-decoding-indias-high-stakes-in-the-indian-ocean | access-date=21 March 2026}}</ref>

Kapil Komireddi, writing for [[UnHerd]] noted regarding the [[BRICS]] that, "Every other founding member — Russia, China and Brazil — quickly denounced the war. India alone seemed to be condoning it with silence." He further added, "Given its sheer size and human scale, India may be on its way to becoming the largest single non-hostile casualty of the war in West Asia. For all its preening proclamations of its own rise and importance on the world stage, Modi's "New India" proved too inconsequential to influence the warmakers — and too weak, craven, and self-woundingly stupid to be spared its effects."<ref name="r447">{{cite web | last=Komireddi | first=Kapil | title=How Modi became Washington's lapdog | website=[[UnHerd]] | date=2026-03-27 | url=https://unherd.com/2026/03/how-modi-became-washingtons-lapdog/?edition=us | access-date=2026-03-28}}</ref>

Following the announcement of 2-week [[2026 Iran war ceasefire|ceasefire]] between the US-Israel and Iran, mediated by Pakistan, [[The Straits Times]] noted that "India is experiencing some heartburn over Pakistan’s visible role in negotiating the ceasefire between Iran and the US – a challenge to its own ambitions as the South Asian regional hegemon". Opposition leader [[Rahul Gandhi]] described Pakistan’s growing influence on the global stage as a failure of Modi government's foreign policy.<ref name="f867">{{cite web | last=Ganapathy | first=Nirmala | title=India's heartburn over Pakistan's Mid-East role | website=The Straits Times | date=2026-04-08 | url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/heartburn-in-new-delhi-over-pakistans-role-in-brokering-mideast-ceasefire | access-date=2026-04-11}}</ref>

==Domestic reaction==

===Energy crisis in India===
[[Brent Crude|Brent crude]] price per barrel increased from {{USD|80}} to {{USD|120}}, in between 2 and 9 March. The household spending on cooking fuel rose by 7% in meantime.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Garg | first1=Vibhuti | last2=Jain | first2=Purva | title=Energy power play: India's oil and gas strategy amid US-Iran tensions | website= | date=20 March 2026 | url=https://ieefa.org/resources/energy-power-play-indias-oil-and-gas-strategy-amid-us-iran-tensions | access-date=21 March 2026|via=[[Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis|Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA)]]|publisher=The Hindu}}</ref>

90% of India's [[Liquefied petroleum gas]] (LPG) imports pass through the strait of Hormuz, India relies heavily on imports to meet its LPG demands.<ref>{{cite web | last=Bardhan | first=Arya Roy | title=One Narrow Strait, Millions of Cylinders: India's LPG Crisis | website=[[Observer Research Foundation]] | date=13 March 2026 | url=https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/one-narrow-strait-millions-of-cylinders-india-s-lpg-crisis | access-date=21 March 2026}}</ref> Following the closure of the strait by Iran, protests erupted across India over the shortage of LPG.<ref>{{cite web | title=LPG shortage sparks protests, road blockades in parts of Odisha | website=[[Hindustan Times]] | date=13 March 2026 | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/lpg-shortage-sparks-protests-road-blockades-in-parts-of-odisha-101773398208364.html | access-date=21 March 2026|agency=[[Press Trust of India|PTI]]}}</ref> The prices for LPG increased by {{INR|60}} and {{INR|144}} for the 14.2 kg and 19 kg cylinder variants respectively.<ref>{{cite web | last=Gain | first=Eshita | title=LPG cylinder price today: Check how much domestic and commercial gas costs in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata on 21 March | website=[[Mint (newspaper)|mint]] | date=21 March 2026 | url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/lpg-cylinder-price-today-check-how-much-domestic-and-commercial-gas-costs-in-delhi-mumbai-kolkata-on-21-march-11774056007944.html | access-date=21 March 2026}}</ref> The price for a 14.2 kg cylinder has reached ₹4,000 in black market.<ref name="b236">{{cite web | last=Tharoor | first=Shashi | title=Why The Current LPG Crisis Is More Than Just A 'Supply Chain' Hiccup | website=[[NDTV]] | date=23 March 2026 | url=https://www.ndtv.com/opinion/iran-israel-war-why-the-2026-lpg-crisis-must-be-indias-final-warning-11253223 | access-date=24 March 2026|author-link=Shashi Tharoor}}</ref>

Long queues outside fuel and LPG distribution centres have been reported across India, the demand for induction burners also exploded. On Amazon, the sales of induction stoves increased more than thirtyfold.<ref>{{cite web | last=Mogul | first=Rhea | title=Iran's chokehold on Hormuz threatens India's beloved samosas and chai | website=[[CNN]] | date=18 March 2026 | url=https://edition.cnn.com/2026/03/18/india/india-lpg-gas-impacts-restaurants-cooking-intl-hnk | access-date=24 March 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Hassan | first=Aakash | title='Waiting for days': India feels impact of gas supply chain disruption amid Iran conflict | website=[[The Guardian]] | date=19 March 2026 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/19/india-liquefied-petroleum-gas-lpg-supply-chain-disruption-iran-conflict | access-date=21 March 2026}}</ref>

The government has allowed hotels and restaurants to utilise biomass as a fuel source for a month. Restaurants and hotels in India have begun shifting to burning firewood as a fuel source, leading to an increase in food prices.<ref>{{cite web | title=LPG crisis: Food prices set to increase as hotels shift to firewood, others; biryani takes the hit during Eid | website=[[The Economic Times]] | date=21 March 2026 | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/lpg-crisis-food-prices-set-to-increase-as-hotels-shift-to-firewood-others-biryani-takes-the-hit-during-eid/articleshow/129715644.cms?from=mdr | access-date=21 March 2026}}</ref> 48,000 kilolitres of additional kerosene was also approved by the centre. These measures have been projected to contribute to indoor air pollution and health disorders.<ref>{{cite web | last=Khadka | first=Navin Singh | title=Iran war: Gas shortage risks pushing India towards polluting fuels | website=[[BBC]] | date=20 March 2026 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1d6vyy9v61o | access-date=24 March 2026}}</ref>

Gujarat's tile and ceramic industry has also suspended production for three weeks.<ref>{{cite web | title=Gas supply disruption halts over 400 ceramic units in Gujarat's Morbi for 3 weeks | website=[[The New Indian Express]] | date=18 March 2026 | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2026/Mar/18/gas-supply-disruption-halts-over-400-ceramic-units-in-gujarats-morbi-for-3-weeks | access-date=21 March 2026}}</ref>

By April, early stages of reverse migration of migrants in cities was being reported due to cooking gas shortages.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dey |first=Abhishek |date=2026-04-07 |title=Iran war: Indian migrant workers hit by cooking gas cylinder shortages leave cities |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20d10980e9o |access-date=2026-04-10 |website=[[bbc.com]] |language= |archive-date=10 April 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260410073528/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20d10980e9o |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bhat |first=Suhail |date=2026-04-09 |title=‘I’ve not had proper food for days’: migrant workers leave India’s cities as Iran war fuel crisis deepens |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/apr/09/delhi-india-gas-energy-crisis-migrant-workers-leave |access-date=2026-04-10 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language= |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

Amidst the crisis India is sending 210,000 MT/month (fuel) to Nepal and 24,000 MT/month (fuel) to Bhutan.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Tiwari |first=Vijayesh |date=30 March 2026 |title=India acts as stabiliser for neighbours as Iran war fuels oil crisis |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-acts-as-stabiliser-for-neighbours-as-iran-war-fuels-oil-crisis-2889231-2026-03-30 |website=[[India Today]]}}</ref> It has sent 45,000 MT petroleum to Sri Lanka and 38,000 MT diesel to Bangladesh.<ref name=":0" />

== See also ==

* [[Pakistan in the 2026 Iran war]]
* [[China in the 2026 Iran war]]
* [[Operation Urja Suraksha]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{2026 Iran war}}

[[Category:Involvement in the 2026 Iran war by country]]
[[Category:India–Iran relations]]
[[Category:2026 in Indian politics]]
[[Category:India–United States relations]]
[[Category:India–Israel relations]]

India in the 2026 Iran war - Revision history

Harish varma: put up new pg