West Asia is India's extended neighbourhood of strategic significance. Analyse India's policy responses to the 2025-26 West Asia crisis with reference to energy security, diaspora welfare, and strategic autonomy.

Q. West Asia is India's extended neighbourhood of strategic significance. Analyse India's policy responses to the 2025-26 West Asia crisis with reference to energy security, diaspora welfare, and strategic autonomy. (15 marks, 250-350 words)

West Asia supplies the bulk of India's crude, hosts nearly 10 million Indians and anchors its western maritime trade [1]. The 2025-26 conflict tested all three simultaneously; India's response has been an effective exercise in crisis management, though structural vulnerability persists.

Energy security: diversification plus buffering - Crude sourcing widened to roughly 40 supplier countries, so about 70% of imports now move outside the Strait of Hormuz, against nearly 55% before the conflict [2]. - The Strategic Petroleum Reserve of 5.33 MMT at Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru and Padur (ISPRL) supplies a physical cushion [3]. - Downstream stability was protected by priority berthing for LPG vessels, near-98% online LPG booking and enforcement against diversion [4]. - Seven empowered groups on fuel, fertilisers and supply chains institutionalised the response [5].

Diaspora welfare: consular capacity at scale - Operation Sindhu evacuated 4,415 nationals — 3,597 from Iran, 818 from Israel — on 19 flights including IAF C-17s [6]. - Over 1,900 seafarers repatriated and 8.4 lakh-plus passengers moved from the region since late February [4]. - Land exits via Armenia and Azerbaijan, plus 24-hour control rooms, extended reach where airspace closed [2].

Strategic autonomy: engagement without alignment - India retained working ties with Iran, Gulf Arab states, Israel and the US, pressing de-escalation and freedom of navigation rather than joining a bloc [2]. - An all-party meeting was convened to build domestic consensus [5]. - Autonomy remains contested: Parliament saw the Opposition demand a full debate, arguing the India-US trade deal narrows India's room for manoeuvre [1].

India has managed the shock competently — diversifying barrels, evacuating citizens, hedging diplomatically — yet remains exposed to chokepoints it cannot control. Deepening reserves towards the IEA's 90-day benchmark, accelerating renewables, and developing alternative corridors such as Chabahar and IMEC would convert reactive crisis management into durable resilience, securing the material foundations on which strategic autonomy ultimately rests.

(~320 words)

Sources: 1. West Asia crisis dominates Lok Sabha; resolution on removal of Speaker not taken up — The Hindu — ~10 million Indians in the region; Opposition's demand for debate and criticism of the India-US trade deal 2. West Asia crisis: Government takes coordinated measures to ensure energy security, maritime safety and welfare of Indian nationals — DD News — ~40 supplier countries, ~70% non-Hormuz routing, control rooms, land routes via Armenia/Azerbaijan, freedom-of-navigation stance 3. Strategic Crude Oil Reserves — Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas — SPR capacity of 5.33 MMT across Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru and Padur under ISPRL 4. India assures energy stability amid West Asia tensions, steps up fuel supply, maritime safety and citizen support — DD News — LPG berthing and booking measures, 1,900+ seafarers repatriated, 8.4 lakh passengers returned 5. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chairs all-party meet on escalating West Asia crisis — Akashvani News (Prasar Bharati) — seven empowered groups on fuel, supply chains and fertilisers; all-party consultation 6. Operation Sindhu: Over 4,400 Indians evacuated from Iran and Israel, says MEA — DD News — 4,415 evacuees (3,597 Iran, 818 Israel), 19 flights including IAF C-17s