"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?

Integrating Energy Security with Future Foreign Policy

• 1. Diversify energy suppliers: India should reduce excessive dependence on any single supplier by expanding crude and LNG partnerships with Latin America, West Africa, the US and other resource-rich regions, while maintaining stable relations with Gulf producers.

• 2. Deepen strategic energy partnerships with the Gulf: India should move beyond a buyer–seller relationship with Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar towards long-term partnerships in LNG, refining, petrochemicals, renewables and green hydrogen. Initiatives such as CEPA with UAE and I2U2 can support this broader economic-energy relationship.

• 3. Protect energy routes: Energy security requires secure maritime connectivity. India should strengthen its naval and diplomatic engagement around critical routes such as the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea, while developing alternative routes and infrastructure. Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) should provide a buffer against temporary disruptions.

• 4. Maintain multi-alignment in West Asia: India should simultaneously engage Riyadh, Tehran, Tel Aviv and Washington rather than align exclusively with any one bloc. This allows India to protect energy interests despite Iran–Israel tensions, sanctions and regional conflicts.

• 5. Use Chabahar and IMEC for diversification: Chabahar Port provides strategic access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, reducing dependence on a single geographical route. IMEC can strengthen India's connectivity with the Gulf and Europe if regional security conditions permit.

• 6. Integrate energy transition with diplomacy: India's foreign policy should increasingly focus on green hydrogen, renewable energy, critical minerals and clean-energy technology. Partnerships with Gulf countries can combine their renewable-energy potential and capital with India's growing clean-energy demand and technological capabilities.

• 7. Strengthen overseas energy assets: Institutions such as ONGC Videsh can acquire overseas oil and gas assets and secure long-term offtake arrangements, converting foreign-policy relationships into direct energy-security instruments.

• 8. Use diaspora diplomacy: India's large diaspora in West Asia creates an additional strategic link between energy security and foreign policy. Protecting Indian workers and maintaining evacuation capabilities during crises should therefore remain part of India's West Asia strategy.

• 9. Gradually reduce the centrality of hydrocarbons: Energy security should ultimately move from simply securing more barrels to reducing vulnerability to the barrel itself through domestic renewables, biofuels, green hydrogen, electrification and other clean-energy sources.