On the morning of 22 June 2025, while picking up the newspaper, I came across a headline stating that the United States had attacked Iran’s nuclear facilities. I casually turned the page, thinking that wars between distant nations are not uncommon. Not long ago, there were conflicts involving Pakistan and Afghanistan. But why should an average Indian be concerned about a war thousands of kilometres away?
Months later, I began to understand why the situation had felt so grim. Although India shares no border with either the United States or Iran, the crisis had quietly entered our homes through the price of fuel, cooking gas and everyday essentials.
It all made sense when I learnt that a significant portion of India’s crude oil and LPG imports passes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy corridors. Any disturbance there does not remain confined to ships and ports; it travels into the pockets of ordinary Indians. Fuel becomes costlier, transportation charges rise, and soon vegetables, groceries and basic commodities also become expensive. Restaurants and small businesses struggle to bear the higher input costs, workers in the unorganised sector face layoffs, and many are forced to return to their native places. Even export-oriented MSMEs dealing in garments, rice, engineering goods and pharmaceuticals see their profits shrink because of rising freight and insurance costs.
To reduce pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves, we were encouraged to cut discretionary spending on imported gold, foreign travel and other non-essential imports. The crisis also accelerated India’s push towards ethanol blending, electric vehicles and cleaner cooking technologies to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Indian diplomacy made the homecoming of our loved ones possible. As tensions escalated in West Asia, thousands of Indians living and working there were brought home safely through timely diplomatic efforts. At the same time, India’s balanced foreign policy ensured uninterrupted energy supplies, preventing a distant conflict from becoming a larger crisis for Indian households.
Yet, the impact of the war was not limited to economics and diplomacy. Owing to its deep religious and historical dimensions, the conflict also resonated within Indian society. Peaceful rallies, candle marches and public gatherings reflected the concerns and emotions of many communities, reminding us that global conflicts can influence social life at home as well.
Looking back, I no longer see such headlines as distant events with little relevance to my life. This war made me realise that in an interconnected world, the consequences of a conflict travel far beyond its borders. It reinforced the importance of strong diplomacy, diversified energy sources and self-reliance in protecting the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Indians.
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