India’s Stance on Israel-Iran Conflict Exposes Strategic Tensions Within SCO

Department of Research, Studies and International News 16-06-2025

India’s refusal to endorse a unified Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) condemnation of Israel’s ongoing aggression against Iran has drawn international attention and raised questions about New Delhi’s geopolitical priorities. While most SCO members, led by China and Russia, firmly denounced Israel’s strikes on Iranian territory, India opted for a neutral stance, highlighting a growing divergence within the Eurasian alliance.

The recent escalation between Iran and Israel reached new heights following a series of Israeli attacks on Iranian military and nuclear sites. These strikes, seen as flagrant violations of Iran’s sovereignty, have killed at least 80 people, including civilians, senior Iranian military commanders, and prominent scientists. Iran responded by targeting key Israeli cities such as Tel Aviv and Haifa with drones and missiles, leaving over a dozen dead. Amid this crisis, Tehran has also suspended its nuclear dialogue with the United States.

In response to the violence, the SCO issued a strong statement condemning Israel’s military operations. The bloc expressed grave concern over the attacks, calling them an egregious breach of international law and a direct assault on Iran’s sovereignty and regional stability. The SCO, which includes China, Russia, Iran, and several Central Asian states, stressed the importance of diplomacy and reaffirmed support for resolving Iran’s nuclear file through peaceful means.

Yet, India distanced itself from this collective position. Instead of aligning with its SCO partners, many of whom share growing strategic partnerships with Iran, India struck a cautious note. Its Ministry of External Affairs issued a vague statement emphasizing the need for de-escalation and dialogue, while avoiding direct criticism of Israel. India later clarified that it did not participate in the SCO discussions that led to the condemnation, reiterating its “balanced” position.

India’s equivocation has prompted speculation about its allegiances. On one hand, New Delhi has deep economic and cultural ties with Iran, including ongoing investments in the strategic Chabahar Port project. On the other hand, India is one of Israel’s largest arms customers and continues to cooperate closely with the Zionist regime, even supplying rockets and munitions during the latter’s brutal war on Gaza.

Analysts suggest that India’s diplomatic hesitation reflects its desire to hedge its bets between emerging Eurasian powers and the West. With India pushing for a free trade agreement with the United States, its reluctance to alienate Washington, particularly under renewed American pressure on Iran, is evident. This balancing act, however, weakens the coherence of the SCO and raises doubts about India’s role within a bloc increasingly shaped by Sino-Russian and Iranian cooperation.

India’s decision to abstain from a recent United Nations General Assembly vote calling for an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza adds further weight to the perception that New Delhi is unwilling to challenge the actions of the U.S. and its regional proxies. Critics argue that such neutrality, especially in the face of blatant aggression, amounts to complicity.

From the perspective of SCO stalwarts like Russia, China, and Iran, India’s posture appears increasingly misaligned with the bloc’s foundational principles, especially its emphasis on multipolarity, respect for sovereignty, and resistance to Western hegemony. While Moscow and Beijing have stood firmly with Tehran, India’s reluctance to take a clear stand underscores its divided loyalties.

More importantly, India’s ambiguity could jeopardize its long-term interests in the region. U.S. sanctions have already threatened to derail India’s investments in Iran, particularly in the Chabahar Port. As Washington intensifies economic warfare against Tehran, India’s ability to navigate its regional strategy without angering either side becomes increasingly untenable.

In the emerging world order, where alliances are shifting and U.S. influence is waning, India’s attempt to straddle both camps may leave it isolated. The Israel-Iran conflict has become a litmus test, and by refusing to condemn Israel’s aggression alongside its Eurasian partners, New Delhi risks alienating powers like China and Russia, whose global influence continues to rise.