In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How…

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In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to this situation?

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

The US-Iran nuclear dispute hurts India's energy security, Chabahar and INSTC connectivity, strategic autonomy and Gulf diaspora, so India should follow only UN sanctions, negotiate waivers and diversify. India lost a top-three crude supplier once the US waiver lapsed in May 2019.

**Introduction**

The US exit from the JCPOA in May 2018 and the return of secondary sanctions forced Iran's partners to choose sides. For India, balancing its US partnership with energy and connectivity ties to Iran became a test of strategic autonomy.

**How the Controversy Affects India's National Interest**

SKETCH: flow | The Sanctions Cascade
- US exits JCPOA
- Secondary sanctions
- Oil and banking curbs
- Costlier crude, weaker rupee
- Pressure on deficits

1. **Energy security**: Iran, a top-three supplier in 2017-18 offering credit and freight discounts, was lost after the US waiver lapsed in May 2019.
2. **Connectivity**: Chabahar and the INSTC, India's route to Afghanistan and Central Asia, slowed as suppliers and banks shied away despite a US exemption.
3. **Strategic squeeze**: CAATSA pressure hung over the S-400 deal, while China gained ground through its 2021 pact with Iran.
4. **Diaspora risk**: Escalation threatens around nine million Indians in the Gulf, as Operation Sindhu (2025) showed.

**How India Should Respond**

1. **Principled autonomy**: Follow only UN sanctions and back dialogue through the IAEA, opposing a nuclear-armed Iran without endorsing unilateral pressure.
2. **Negotiated carve-outs**: Use the 2+2 dialogue to win waivers, as with the Chabahar exemption.
3. **Energy hedging**: Diversify crude sources and fill the 5.33 million tonne Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

**Way Forward**

1. **Parallel routes**: Keep Chabahar alive under the 2024 agreement and advance IMEC so no single route can be sanctioned shut.
2. **Crisis readiness**: Keep naval escorts on the model of Operation Sankalp (2019) and standing evacuation plans.

**Conclusion**

The dispute strains India's energy, connectivity and diaspora interests, but multi-alignment and diversified routes let India protect them without surrendering strategic autonomy.

In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to this situation?

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