Smoke billows from a Thai-registered cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz on March 11 .(Photo courtesy of the Royal Thai Navy; via Reuters/Kyodo)
The present fighting in the Middle East, with the US and Israel taking on Iran, has led to problems galore for countries in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. Especially for oil-importing countries like India and Japan. Although India had bought Russian oil in the past, it was forced to cut Russian oil imports in light of pressure from the United States. At the same time, it has been working towards a trade deal with the US.
Japan's Lack of Options
Recently, the US asked its allies, including Japan, to provide military support as it tries to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, many countries, including Japan, were not very keen on the same. Some don't see themselves as directly being a party to the fighting going on.
This is a very difficult situation for US allies like Japan. While there is pressure to back the US militarily, they are also restrained by domestic circumstances and constituencies.
Meanwhile, we have seen a gradual improvement in relations between Japan and the US under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, compared to the times under the former Japanese PM, Shigeru Ishiba.
India-Japan Collaboration in the Maritime Domain
Japan and India cooperate on a wide range of maritime issues, and the Iran conflict could give them yet another area to do so. India has a big diaspora in the Middle East region. Any long-lasting instability in the region would deeply impact its financial health, as the Indian diaspora in the region sends a huge amount of remittances to India.
On the Iran issue, Japan and India seem to be on different sides of the divide. Japan is an ally of the United States, while India and Iran cooperate in different areas. In addition, India has close ties with Russia, and Russia and Iran have close ties.
The Iranian crisis seems to be showing no signs of abating, and hence, different countries are running out of options. It is turning grave by the day, with Iran firing missiles in the direction of the Indian Ocean base of Diego Garcia.
Why Iran is Important for India
India and Iran have had civilizational ties, and there are many Indian students studying medicine in Iran. Also, India has invested heavily in the strategic port of Chabahar in Iran, which is very close to the port of Gwadar in Pakistan. The latter Pakistani port, however, was developed with Chinese assistance.
Iran is also important for India's access to the Central Asian countries and Russia through the International North-South Transportation Corridor.
What is important is that now India seems to have secured passage for some Indian flagged ships through the Straits of Hormuz, which has been blockaded by Iran. At the same time, it is worth noting that India had given shelter to Iranian sailors on board an Iranian naval vessel that had been stuck in the Indian port of Kochi. (The sailors have since been sent back to Iran by air.)
This ship was one of the three Iranian ships that had come to Vishakhapatnam in India for the MILAN naval exercises. Another one of Iran's vessels was later sunk by an American submarine just off the territorial waters of Sri Lanka.
The Pakistan Obstacle
Pakistan has not allowed India overland access to its goods entering Afghanistan and Central Asia. Therefore, Iran becomes critical for India as it has provided overland access to Afghanistan through the Zaranj-Delaram corridor.
In addition, in view of the rapidly deteriorating ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan, it is worthwhile for India to maintain the channels of communication with the Taliban government in Afghanistan.
Moreover, Iran, too, does not have the best ties with Pakistan. This is another factor that has brought India and Iran closer together.
The Road Ahead for Japan and India
The present crisis pushes Japan and India to review the different options that are available to them in the future. India will also have to consider generating nuclear energy to distance itself from future energy shocks.
On Japan's behalf, Prime Minister Takaichi recently paid a successful visit to the US. It is worth noting here that Japan depends heavily on energy imports from the Middle East, which account for almost 90% of its oil and about 11% of its liquefied natural gas imports. This dependence increased even further in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, which led to a big reduction in the production of nuclear power.
All said and done, India should use its good offices to seek access for Japanese-flagged tankers in the Middle East. Already, India and Japan collaborate in many areas. Meanwhile, the United States, India, Japan, and Australia are partners in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, better known as the Quad. In addition, the Indian Navy is a key player and a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific region.
Japan and India are a part of the Malabar naval exercises and many other bilateral exercises. While there are some reports of Iran allowing Japanese ships to pass through the Straits of Hormuz, they have not been officially confirmed.
What is certain is that the ongoing crisis in the Middle East is sure to change the region for all time to come.
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Author: Dr Rupakjyoti Borah
Dr Rupakjyoti Borah is a Senior Research Fellow with the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies. The views expressed here are personal.
