Introduction: India and the Middle East Through the Ages

The escalating crisis in the Middle East due to conflict between Iran, Israel, the United States, and the Gulf nations has once again underscored the region’s strategic importance for India. As tensions reshape regional security dynamics, energy flows, and maritime routes, New Delhi faces the challenge of balancing diplomatic partnerships, protecting its diaspora, and safeguarding economic and energy interests across a volatile Middle Eastern landscape. Historically, India’s relations with the Middle East evolved from anti-colonial solidarity to pragmatic multi-alignment.