The short sea distance between India’s western ports and Iran has historically supported trade and connectivity, underlining the country’s role in India’s energy security and regional access.
The flags of India and Iran symbolise the strategic and economic ties now under strain amid escalating tensions in West Asia.
Strategic affairs expert Brahma Chellaney on Tuesday argued that India often overlooks how geographically close Iran actually is, warning that treating it simply as part of the “Middle East” hides an important strategic reality.
In a post on X, Chellaney said Iran should be viewed as a neighbour across the Arabian Sea rather than a distant West Asian country.
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He pointed out that the distance between Kandla port in Gujarat and Iran’s Chabahar port is about 550 nautical miles, while Mumbai lies around 786 nautical miles away. For centuries, he noted, this maritime route supported trade between the two regions.
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According to Chellaney, Iran remains important for India from both an economic and geopolitical perspective. It is among the closest potential sources of oil and liquefied natural gas for India.
India’s Blind Spot: Treating Iran as a Distant Country
Can Indians stop referring to Iran as part of the “Middle East”? The label obscures a basic geographic fact: Iran is India’s neighbor. Its southern coast lies directly across the Arabian Sea from India’s western shore.
The…
— Dr. Brahma Chellaney (@Chellaney) March 10, 2026
He also said Iran sits at a strategic junction connecting Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Pakistan, regions that are important for India’s long-term interests.
Calling Iran simply part of the “Middle East”, Chellaney argued, can create the impression that developments there are distant from India, even though the country lies directly across the Arabian Sea.
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