The Indian Council of World Affairs known as ICWA opened a two day National Conference titled India Energy Security and Strategic Engagement in the Context of the US Israel Iran Conflict in the Emerging Geopolitical Order at Sapru House in New Delhi on 25 May 2026. The conference brings together senior diplomats, former ambassadors to West Asian capitals, energy economists, scholars from leading think tanks and representatives of public sector oil and gas companies to examine the implications of West Asian instability for Indian energy security, shipping routes, diaspora protection and trade flows. India imports nearly 87 per cent of its crude oil requirements and around half of its natural gas, with West Asia accounting for over 40 per cent of crude imports in 2025-26. The Strait of Hormuz, which carries roughly 21 per cent of global liquid petroleum supplies, and the Bab el Mandeb are critical chokepoints for Indian energy flows. Sessions over the two days cover the trajectory of the US Israel Iran conflict and its escalation risk, sanctions architecture and secondary sanctions exposure, diversification of crude sourcing from the United States, Russia, Latin America and Africa, the role of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the Chabahar Port and International North South Transport Corridor as alternatives to Suez and Hormuz dependence, and the security of about nine million Indians working in the Gulf. ICWA was established in 1943 and is the apex think tank on foreign policy under the Ministry of External Affairs with the Vice President of India as its Ex Officio President and Sapru House as its iconic location. The conference reflects renewed academic and policy attention on West Asia, given recent escalation cycles, oil price volatility and supply chain disruptions.
Indian Council of World Affairs Opens Two Day National Conference on India Energy Security and Strategic Engagement in the Context of the United States Israel Iran Conflict in the Emerging Geopolitical Order at Sapru House New Delhi on 25 May 2026 Bringing Together Diplomats Energy Experts and Strategic Affairs Scholars to Examine the Implications of West Asian Instability for Indian Oil Supplies Shipping Routes and the Chabahar International North South Transport Corridor Strategy
ICWA opened a two day National Conference at Sapru House New Delhi on 25 May 2026 titled India Energy Security and Strategic Engagement in the Context of the US Israel Iran Conflict in the Emerging Geopolitical Order, examining oil supply, Strait of Hormuz chokepoints, Chabahar and INSTC and protection of Indian diaspora in the Gulf.
Key facts
- ICWA opened a two day National Conference at Sapru House New Delhi on 25 May 2026 on India energy security and the US Israel Iran conflict
- India imports nearly 87 per cent of crude oil and about half of natural gas, with West Asia accounting for over 40 per cent of crude imports
- The Strait of Hormuz handles around 21 per cent of global liquid petroleum supplies and is the critical chokepoint for Indian oil imports
- Sessions examine sanctions architecture, diversification of crude sourcing, Strategic Petroleum Reserve and Chabahar Port and INSTC alternatives
- About 9 million Indians live and work in the Gulf, making diaspora protection a key concern in West Asia policy
- ICWA was established in 1943 and functions under the Ministry of External Affairs with the Vice President of India as its Ex Officio President
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Practice MCQ from this story
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Consider the following two statements regarding the Indian Council of World Affairs ICWA: 1. The Indian Council of World Affairs was established in 1943 and functions under the Ministry of External Affairs as an apex foreign policy think tank. 2. The Vice President of India is the Ex Officio President of the Indian Council of World Affairs and Sapru House in New Delhi is its iconic seat. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Both statements are correct. ICWA was established in 1943 and functions under the Ministry of External Affairs as the apex foreign policy think tank. The Vice President of India is its Ex Officio President under the ICWA Act 2001 and Sapru House in New Delhi is its iconic seat.
Source: Indian Council of World Affairs
Frequently asked questions
What is the theme of the ICWA National Conference that opened on 25 May 2026?
The ICWA opened a two day National Conference at Sapru House on 25 May 2026 titled India Energy Security and Strategic Engagement in the Context of the US Israel Iran Conflict in the Emerging Geopolitical Order, examining oil supplies, chokepoints, alternative corridors and Indian diaspora in the Gulf.
What is the share of crude oil imports in India total crude requirement?
India imports nearly 87 per cent of its crude oil requirements and around half of its natural gas, with West Asia accounting for over 40 per cent of crude imports in 2025-26.
What is the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz?
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Oman and Iran connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It handles around 21 per cent of global liquid petroleum supplies including most of India crude imports from West Asia and is one of the world critical maritime chokepoints.
How does the Chabahar Port and INSTC reduce India dependence on Hormuz?
The Chabahar Port in southeastern Iran on the Gulf of Oman lies outside the Strait of Hormuz and is being developed by India along with the International North South Transport Corridor to access Central Asia, Russia and Europe through Iran without using the Suez Canal or Hormuz.
What is the Indian Council of World Affairs and when was it established?
The Indian Council of World Affairs is the apex foreign policy think tank in India established in 1943. It functions under the Ministry of External Affairs by an Act of Parliament and the Vice President of India is its Ex Officio President with its iconic seat at Sapru House New Delhi.
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