46 diplomatic ties in 1992, and especially since the rise to power of the BJP government in 2014. Bilateral cooperation has expanded to include security, technological, intelligence and operational domains, primarily focused on counterterrorism efforts. Israel has emerged as a major supplier of advanced weapons systems and combat technologies to India with defense procurement totaling approximately $2.9 billion. During the recent crisis in Kashmir, Israeli officials publicly expressed solidarity with India and affirmed its right to selfdefense, and Israeli technology supported India’s airstrikes against Pakistan. In the international arena, India’s voting patterns have gradually shifted from a traditionally proPalestinian stance to a more balanced approach. This includes abstaining from votes that explicitly condemn Israel, while at times supporting motions aimed at condemning terrorist organizations. India’s abstention from a UN General Assembly vote on a ceasefire in Gaza in April 2025 marked the fourth such instance in three years. For New Delhi, refraining from criticism of Israel aligns with its national interest, even if it does not amount to explicit support. India’s evolving relations with Iran and Israel reflect a sophisticated balancing act by which New Delhi is seeking to navigate historical ties, economic and strategic interests and shifting security concerns. An analysis of this trilateral dynamic reveals the strategic dilemmas India is facing amid growing cross-regional tensions. India’s aspiration to maintain strategic autonomy and serve in the region as a balancing force, or even as a potential mediator, is increasingly challenged by a shifting and volatile balance of power. New Delhi’s growing alignment with Israel, at the expense of maintaining equilibrium with Iran, may undermine its legitimacy as a neutral actor and position it as a partisan player rather than an impartial intermediary. Nevertheless, India has succeeded thus far in sustaining complex bilateral relations with three regional powers—Israel, Iran and Saudi Arabia—despite the hostility among them. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs continues to pursue a policy of “non-blame,” even in the context of serious regional conflicts, while consistently emphasizing the importance of stability and the need to prevent escalation. A potential weakening of Iran following Israeli strikes is not necessarily aligned with India’s interests. Iran has historically served as a strategic counterbalance to Pakistan, and its decline could lead to a rise in radical Sunni influence and increased instability along Pakistan’s southwestern border. This could include disruptions to the supply of fuel, gas, and food to the Balochistan region. Ultimately, the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran are putting India’s policy of neutrality to the test. Indian analysts caution that a short-term, utilitarian approach will be insufficient and call for a multidimensional foreign policy strategy, one rooted in sophisticated diplomacy, the cultivation of strategic partnerships and an enhanced capacity to influence the resolution of regional crises. PAKISTAN’S POSITION: SUPPORT FOR IRAN, DISAPPROVAL OF ISRAEL For Pakistan, Iran represents both a significant regional partner and a source of complex strategic dilemmas. The two countries share a 900-kilometer land border, primarily in the Balochistan region. It is marked by cross-border militant activity, economic interdependence and shared security threats. Sustained instability in Iran is viewed by Islamabad as a direct threat to Pakistan’s national security. These parallel developments revealed intricate interconnections among India, Pakistan, Iran and Israel, as well as shifting geopolitical linkages between South and West Asia. The recent crisis between Israel and Iran raised serious concerns in Pakistan, particularly regarding the attacks on Iranian nuclear and energy infrastructure. Beyond the security implications, the war had a direct impact on Pakistan. The disruption of cross-border trade with Iran affected the supply of fuel, food and electricity to regions like Balochistan, an economic dependency that gives Iran leverage over Pakistan’s border provinces. For Islamabad, continued instability in Iran threatens internal cohesion, may trigger civil unrest, and could result in large-scale, uncontrolled migration flows. As a nuclear-armed state, Pakistan is especially sensitive to attacks on nuclear facilities. It has strongly opposed actions that undermine established nuclear security norms and has underscored the importance of maintaining
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDU2MA==