"How far does conflict in the Persian Gulf threaten India's diaspora, remittances and energy supplies? Suggest a strategy." *(analysis)*

The Persian Gulf is India's most exposed neighbourhood. Most of India's migrant workers live there, and it sits beside the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about one-fifth of the world's oil and gas [4]. The 2026 US–Iran conflict shows that the threat is serious but uneven. It is highest for energy, significant for the diaspora and moderate for remittances.

Diaspora: high threat

• Of about 1.78 crore NRIs, nearly 99 lakh live in the six GCC states. The UAE (43 lakh) and Saudi Arabia (over 27 lakh) have the most [1].
• Around 3.75 lakh passengers have returned from the region since 28 February 2026 [2].
• Workers risk job losses and airspace closures, and over 20,000 seafarers are stranded at sea worldwide [5].

Remittances: moderate threat

• The GCC sent 38% of India's US$118.7 billion in remittances in 2023-24 [3]. A shock would hit households in migrant-sending states and widen the current account deficit.
• There is a cushion, because advanced economies now send over half of India's remittances as migration shifts towards skilled workers [3].

Energy supplies: highest threat, but being managed

• The UN Secretary-General warned that the Hormuz disruption hit global energy and fertiliser supplies [5].
• India raised the share of crude arriving by non-Hormuz routes to about 70% from 55%, and now buys from 40 countries [6].
• However, Strategic Petroleum Reserves (5.33 MMT) cover only about 9.5 days of crude demand [7].

Suggested strategy

• Diaspora: Keep standing evacuation plans modelled on Operations Ganga and Kaveri. Make wider use of the Indian Community Welfare Fund. Run reintegration schemes for returning workers.
• Remittances: Sign new migration and mobility agreements to open other labour markets, and cut transfer costs through cross-border UPI links.
• Energy: Expand SPR capacity, keep sourcing diversified, and speed up ethanol blending and renewables.
• Security and diplomacy: Provide naval escorts like Operation Sankalp, keep balanced ties with Iran and the GCC, and uphold freedom of navigation under UNCLOS.

Overall, the threat to India is substantial but not existential. Diversified sourcing and a shifting remittance base have softened the blow, but the diaspora and thin reserves remain weak spots. A layered strategy of reserves, diversification, energy transition and active West Asia diplomacy can turn this vulnerability into resilience. That would serve SDG 7 and India's duty to its citizens abroad.