The US has already deployed the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, comprising the fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, in the Middle East to pressure Iran to junk its stockpile of enriched uranium.
"India's foremost concern would be energy security. Instability in the Gulf region would push global oil prices higher. At a time when India is focused on growth and stability, such external shocks would be unwelcome," BJP politician Savio Rodrigues told Sputnik India.
Diplomatically, India values strategic autonomy and has historically maintained strong ties with Tehran alongside its relationship with Washington. Any escalation or external pressure on Iran would complicate the region, the strategic affairs pundit explained.
"However, comparisons with Venezuela are not exact. The situation involving Nicolas Maduro led to a major geopolitical disruption and the sidelining of Russia-linked interests there," Rodrigues underscored.
"In past escalations, heightened US–Israel actions against Iran have also revived debate in India about its defence ties with Israel, even as New Delhi has consistently sought to maintain a neutral, diplomatic stance to protect its broader regional interests," Wankhede stressed.
Iran is a far more resilient and strategically central actor, and India has deliberately reduced its visibility and exposure to manage geopolitical risk, despite attempts by rival powers to push it out, the think tanker concluded.