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COVER STORY MAY 22, 2026 | The Indian Eye 4

IRAN WAR SHOCK

PM’S 5-NATION

OUTREACH

As the Iran war rattles energy markets and global supply chains, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s five-country
diplomatic tour reflects India’s urgent push to secure energy routes and deepen economic partnerships

OUR BUREAU
Dubai / Amsterdam / Copenhagen

rime Minister Narendra Modi’s
five-country diplomatic tour
Pthis week comes at a moment
of extraordinary geopolitical turbu-
lence. The conflict involving Iran has
once again exposed the vulnerability
of global energy supply chains, sent
strategic anxieties across Asia and Eu-
rope, and revived fears about disrup-
tions in the Strait of Hormuz — one
of the world’s most critical oil shipping
corridors. For India, which imports
more than 80 per cent of its crude oil
requirements, the crisis is not merely
a foreign policy concern. It is a direct
economic challenge with implications
for inflation, growth, shipping costs,
industrial production, and domestic
political stability.
Against this backdrop, Modi’s
visits to the United Arab Emirates,
the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway
and Italy represent far more than cer-
emonial diplomacy. The tour reflects
a broader Indian strategy: diversify
energy partnerships, strengthen eco- Prime Minister Narendra Modi poses for a picture with Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, Crown Princess of Sweden, Victoria, External
nomic linkages with Europe and the Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval and others, in Gothenburg on Sunday. (@MEAIndia X/ANI Photo)
Gulf, secure technological coopera-
tion, and build resilient supply chains
in a world increasingly shaped by wars instability around the Strait of Hor- The agreements, exchanged in the wisdom” during difficult regional cir-
and geopolitical fragmentation. muz immediately impacts India be- presence of UAE President Sheikh cumstances.
The message from New Delhi cause a substantial portion of its crude Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, India’s outreach to the UAE is
throughout the tour has been consis- oil imports passes through the region. underscored the rapidly expanding deeply tied to energy calculations.
tent — India wants to emerge not only Rising freight charges, insurance pre- security dimension of the India-UAE The UAE has steadily become one of
as the world’s fastest-growing major miums for tankers, and fears of disrup- relationship. India’s most dependable energy part-
economy but also as a reliable strate- tion to maritime trade threaten to in- More importantly, Modi’s re- ners. Beyond crude oil supplies, the
gic partner capable of contributing to crease India’s import bill significantly. marks in Abu Dhabi reflected India’s relationship now includes strategic
global stability. This explains why Modi’s first concern over regional instability. “We petroleum reserves, renewable energy
major stop in the region — the UAE strongly condemn the attacks on the investments, logistics, ports, and de-
The Gulf Crisis and India’s — carried immense strategic signif- UAE. The way the UAE has been fense cooperation. In recent years, In-
Energy Anxiety icance. India and the UAE signed targeted is unacceptable in any way,” dia has tried to reduce dependence on
he Iran conflict has sharpened several agreements and memoranda Modi said during talks with the Emi- any single energy source by strength-
India’s long-standing concerns of understanding focused particularly rati leadership. He praised the UAE ening ties simultaneously with Gulf
Tregarding energy security. Any on defense and strategic cooperation. leadership’s “restraint, courage, and Continued on next page... >>

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