Modi Walks Tightrope Between Iran and US

India's recent diplomatic maneuver to secure safe passage for merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz represents a significant recalibration of geopolitical influence in the Middle East, with substantial implications for European businesses dependent on global shipping corridors and energy security. The Strait of Hormuz remains the world's most critical maritime chokepoint, with approximately 21% of global petroleum consumption flowing through its narrow waters daily. Any disruption—whether through military conflict, sanctions enforcement, or regional instability—poses existential risks to supply chains spanning Europe, Asia, and beyond. India's ability to negotiate independent passage arrangements signals a shift in how non-aligned nations are positioning themselves amid escalating US-Iran tensions and broader geopolitical fragmentation. **The Strategic Context** New Delhi's cultivation of Iranian relations reflects India's historical energy dependencies and its broader foreign policy doctrine of strategic autonomy. India remains one of Iran's largest oil importers, and maintaining reliable access to Persian Gulf energy sources is non-negotiable for a nation experiencing double-digit energy demand growth. However, this engagement occurs against the backdrop of Modi's strengthening security partnerships with Washington, creating an inherent tension that now threatens to resurface. The Biden administration has pursued a complex Iran strategy combining diplomatic overtures with enforcement of residual nuclear