On Tuesday, three Indian naval ships—INS Shardul, INS Tir, and ICGS Veer—arrived at the port of Bandar Abbas in Iran. The ships were part of a long-range training mission in the Persian Gulf and were welcomed by the Iranian Navy’s ship, Zereh. This visit highlights the growing naval cooperation between India and Iran, but it comes at a time when tensions in the Middle East are dangerously high.
The Indian ships are set to take part in joint exercises with the Iranian Navy, focusing on maritime security and improving how both navies can work together. However, the timing of their visit has raised concerns because of the rising risk of conflict in the region.
The Middle East is on the brink of a regional war. On Tuesday night, Iran launched a major missile attack against Israeli military targets. It was the largest strike of its kind, with about 200 ballistic missiles fired, setting off warning sirens across Israel. Israel’s air defense systems intercepted many of the missiles, but the situation is tense.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Iran had made a “big mistake” and warned of severe consequences. Iran’s leaders, in turn, cautioned Israel that any retaliation would be met with even more powerful strikes.
India, however, is trying to stay neutral. Captain (Retd.) Sarabjeet S Parmar, a defense expert, emphasized that India’s naval deployment has nothing to do with the Israel-Iran conflict. It’s a routine training exercise aimed at strengthening India’s presence in the Persian Gulf, not a reaction to the current hostilities. India has long-standing relationships with countries in the region, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
While Parmar downplayed the risk to Indian forces, he acknowledged that if Israel were to retaliate against Iran, there’s always the possibility of stray missiles hitting unintended targets, including where India’s ships are docked.
India’s relationship with Iran is particularly important because of the Chabahar port, a vital link for India to access Central Asia. India has invested heavily in the port and in the International North-South Transit Corridor, which connects India to Russia and Europe through Iran. Seshadri Vasan, director general of the Chennai Centre for China Studies, pointed out that India has maintained strong ties with Iran while also building relationships with other countries in the region. India’s strategy is to stay out of direct conflicts but still maintain its commercial and diplomatic interests.
However, the situation in the Middle East is unpredictable. If Israel decides to launch a counterattack, it could escalate quickly, dragging other nations into the conflict. While the United States and some Western countries have already sent military support to Israel, India is staying cautious. For now, India’s ships are in Iran on a peaceful mission, but their presence could become complicated if the conflict spirals out of control.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also expressed concern about the situation, speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu earlier this week. Modi condemned terrorism and called for a quick return to peace. Similarly, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar urged all parties to follow international law, particularly with regard to protecting civilians.
India’s naval deployment in Iran might be part of a routine mission, but the timing has placed the country in a delicate position as the Middle East teeters on the edge of war.
