Relevance: GS II (International Relations) | Source: UNSC & Ministry of External Affairs Reports
1. What is the News?
- The Vote: India has co-sponsored and voted for a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution.
- The Demand: This resolution asks Iran to stop all attacks on its neighbors (the Gulf countries) and to stop threatening ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
- The Shift: Usually, India remains neutral in such conflicts. However, this time it has clearly sided with the Gulf nations.
2. Why Did India Take This Step?
India’s decision is based on two very practical “Real Life” reasons:
- The People (Diaspora): Over 10 million Indians live and work in the Gulf countries (like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar). Their safety and the money they send back home are top priorities. In contrast, only 9,000 Indians live in Iran.
- The Energy: Nearly 50% of our oil and 90% of our cooking gas (LPG) comes from these Gulf countries. India stopped buying oil from Iran in 2019 to avoid US sanctions, making the Gulf countries our most important energy partners.
3. The Expert Concern
While the government says this is in our “National Interest,” some experts are worried:
- Strategic Autonomy: India has always been known for making independent decisions without taking sides. Some fear this vote makes us look like we are just following the U.S. and its allies.
- Root Causes: Critics say India remained silent when top Iranian leaders were attacked but was quick to condemn Iran. This might make India look less “balanced” in the eyes of the world.
UPSC Value Box
| Key Term / Body | Simple Meaning |
| Strategic Autonomy | The power of a country to take its own decisions in foreign policy based on its own needs, not under pressure from big powers. |
| GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) | A group of 6 Arab countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain) that are vital for India’s economy and energy. |
| UNSC Resolution | A formal decision taken by the UN Security Council. It is very powerful and can even lead to international sanctions. |
With reference to India’s foreign policy and the West Asian region, consider the following statements:
- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is an alliance that includes all countries sharing a coastline with the Persian Gulf.
- ‘Strategic Autonomy’ is a core principle of Indian foreign policy that emphasizes independent decision-making in international affairs.
- India currently imports the majority of its crude oil and LPG from the GCC countries rather than Iran.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: (b)
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