India seeks strategic resilience following Strait of Hormuz crisis

The Strait of Hormuz crisis has underscored the need for India to transition from emergency response to permanent national resilience. Following military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran in February 2026, the subsequent closure of the Strait to most commercial shipping caused significant economic disruption.

During the crisis, Brent crude prices rose from approximately $72 to over $126 by late April. Qatar declared force majeure on gas contracts, affecting more than two-fifths of India’s imported LNG. Additionally, the cost of transporting Saudi crude to India increased more than fourfold, and war-risk insurance for Hormuz transits reached as high as $10 million per transit.

While India successfully mobilized $136.38 billion through the Reserve Bank of India’s dollar swap facility and overseas deposits, analysts note that the financial response lagged behind the initial physical shock. Experts argue that India must now move beyond conventional diplomacy to secure its energy, maritime commerce, and strategic interests in the Gulf, treating the region as a central component of its strategic geography rather than a mere energy reservoir.