SINGAPORE: Iran’s relationship with India has been sorely tested amid its conflict with the US and Israel.

On Monday (May 4), Iran launched a drone attack on a UAE oil port, setting it ablaze and injuring three Indian nationals. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack in a post on X. “Targeting civilians and infrastructure is unacceptable,” he wrote.

Two weeks earlier, Iran fired at two Indian-flagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, shortly after reversing a decision to reopen the waterway. The attack was a significant departure from the Indian government’s earlier success at negotiating safe passage for a few Indian-flagged vessels through the strait.

Though there were no reported casualties, the Indian government summoned the Iranian ambassador in New Delhi to express “deep concern” over the incident and urge protection of Indian vessels plying the strait.

With the US-Iran stalemate over the Strait of Hormuz showing no signs of easing soon, India is at risk of further collateral damage in the coming weeks or months.

INDIA’S BALANCING ACT

Before conflict broke out in February, Indian diplomacy in the Middle East was viewed as a successful balancing act between several countries that are at odds with each other.

India, under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government since 2014, has expanded cooperation with Israel while deepening links with Gulf states such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Simultaneously, it has built upon its histor...