“Energy security constitutes the dominant kingpin of India’s foreign policy, and is linked with India’s overarching influence in Middle Eastern countries.” How would you integrate energy security with India’s foreign policy trajectories in the coming years? (2025, 15 Marks)

Paper	GS Paper 2
Word Limit	250 words
Syllabus Topic	International Relations – India and its neighbourhood, West Asia

Model Answer

India is the world’s third-largest energy consumer. It imports more than 80% of its crude oil. So energy security (steady energy supply at an affordable price) is a core goal of its foreign policy. The Middle East has long been its main source.

Why the Middle East Matters

• Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are major crude suppliers. Qatar is a key LNG partner.
• The UAE’s ADNOC stores crude in India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve at Mangaluru.
• Millions of Indians work in the Gulf and send large remittances.

Is It the “Kingpin”? A Critical View

• Energy is central, but India’s ties with the region now also cover trade, defence and food security, e.g., the India-UAE CEPA (2022).
• Since 2022, Russia has become a top crude supplier. This shows reduced dependence on one region.
• Chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea attacks show the risk of over-dependence.

Integrating Energy Security with Future Foreign Policy

• Diversify sources: Balance the Gulf with Russia, the USA, Africa and Latin America through strategic autonomy.
• Connectivity: Push IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor), I2U2 and Chabahar port.
• Clean energy diplomacy: Lead the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuels Alliance. Build green hydrogen partnerships with Gulf states.
• Maritime security: Protect tankers, as in the Navy’s Operation Sankalp (2019).
• Overseas assets: Invest in oil and gas fields abroad.

Conclusion

India’s energy diplomacy must shift from buying oil to building partnerships. A mix of Gulf ties, new suppliers and clean energy can power Viksit Bharat 2047 and the net-zero goal of 2070.

Related PYQs

• The question of India’s Energy Security constitutes the most important part of India’s economic progress. Analyze India’s energy policy cooperation with West Asian Countries. (2017)
• “With the waning of globalization, post-Cold War world is becoming a site of sovereign nationalism.” Elucidate. (2025)
• ‘Clean energy is the order of the day.’ Describe briefly India’s changing policy towards climate change in various international fora in the context of geopolitics. (2022)

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