Living and breathing in the 21st century nations are increasingly relying on brute force to settle disputes, and the message is becoming clearer by the day: strength, not persuasion, shapes outcomes.

Following the United States and Israel’s aggressive stance, Iran’s attacks on commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf have disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

For countries heavily dependent on imported energy, the implications are serious. India sits uncomfortably in that category.

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World's 4th largest economy, but still dependent on foreign arms and oil?

Unlike the United States and Russia, which enjoy substantial domestic energy resources, India relies heavily on imports to keep its economy running. Nearly 89 per cent of the country’s crude oil consumption now comes from imports, along with a significant portion of natural gas and coal.

India’s energy supply chains are mostly dependent on the Middle East. So, a prolonged conflict in the Gulf, especially one affecting the Strait of Hormuz, could quickly send oil and LNG prices soaring.

India’s defence preparedness also relies heavily on foreign suppliers. From fighter aircraft to advanced weapon systems, the country still depends on imports from partners such as Russia, France, Israel and the United States. Domestic public sector defence manufacturers have often struggled with delays in design, development and production.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently called for building indigenous capabilities in critical technologies and military platforms. Yet the structural gap between ambition and execution remains wide. The civilian-military bureaucracy frequently prefers the safer option of buying proven systems from abroad, while private Indian defence firms complain of regulatory hurdles and lack of trust.

For a country that is now the world’s fourth-largest economy and among the most powerful militaries, it cannot remain reliant on external partners for core capabilities.

So, India must answer a more fundamental question: what exactly is its strategic objective?

The ongoing US-Israel-Iran confrontation is a reminder that nations like India ultimately act in their own interests.

For India, that reality should serve as a wake-up call

So if New Delhi hopes to secure a leading position in an increasingly competitive global order, it will need to rethink governance structures, accelerate technological development and shed the inertia that has long slowed decision-making.