Washington, March 19 (NationPress) The current US military activities concerning Iran are putting pressure on India's energy security and challenging its diplomatic equilibrium, as noted by Lisa Curtis, a former White House official for South Asia. She emphasized that New Delhi is maneuvering through a complicated and increasingly unstable scenario.

"Initially, it's affecting India's oil supply. India heavily depends on oil from the Middle East, so it's understandable that Indian officials are worried about escalating oil prices and the potential impact of the crisis on the Indian economy," Curtis shared in an interview with IANS.

She highlighted energy as the immediate concern for India, considering its reliance on Middle Eastern crude oil. The surge in oil prices due to the conflict could adversely affect India's economic forecast.

Curtis also pointed out a diplomatic complication stemming from the recent US military actions against Iran. "The US targeted an Iranian ship shortly after it took part in an India-hosted naval exercise, a multilateral event," she remarked, labeling it "embarrassing for India" and a source of strain in the bilateral relationship.

India, she noted, anticipates Washington to uphold a rules-based international order. "India expects the United States to act as a responsible entity, safeguarding freedom of navigation and the sovereignty of other nations while protecting them from coercion," she stated.

"However, in this instance, it is the US that is behaving disruptively towards that rules-based order," Curtis added.

Consequently, India is taking a cautious approach. "India is attempting to maintain a more neutral standpoint," she explained, highlighting that New Delhi is balancing its "strong relations with Iran" against the significance of its economic and strategic alliances with the United States.

She noted that India's method is similar to that of other US allies. Nations like Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom are "endeavoring to uphold a solid partnership with the United States, yet avoiding involvement in a conflict they are not part of."

Curtis also observed that Washington seems increasingly isolated regarding its Iran strategy. "I believe the US is out of sync with its major allies and partners concerning military operations in Iran," she stated.

She pointed out that allies are hesitant to deploy military assets. "Countries are reluctant to send warships to escort oil tankers through the Hormuz Straits… They prefer not to engage in the ongoing military actions," she explained.

Instead, partners are looking for non-military avenues to promote stability. "They are eager to assist the United States... by reducing risks for oil tankers... and releasing strategic reserves into the marketplace," she said.

Regarding bilateral relations, Curtis remarked that the US-India partnership has significantly progressed recently. "I believe the US-India strategic relationship is in a much stronger position than it was six months ago," she noted, referencing the "completion of the interim trade framework deal" as a crucial milestone.

She also mentioned that shifts in US policy regarding Russian oil could be advantageous for India. "The fact that the United States is permitting Russia to sell oil will be beneficial for India," she stated, adding that "any measures the US can take to assist India in managing the energy crisis will be appreciated."

However, Curtis cautioned that the unpredictable nature of policy in Washington is causing anxiety. "It highlights how capricious and erratic this Trump administration can be," she remarked, noting that "this unpredictability is concerning to other nations."

"I think this will lead India to tread carefully in its dealings with this Trump administration moving forward," she concluded.