Unrest in Iran… A major problem for India, find out what India imports from Iran

New Delhi: There is turmoil, unrest, and instability in Iran. Protests have intensified across the country, pushing it once again into a period of political and economic uncertainty. This crisis is not a distant one for India, as Iran is located at the heart of some of India’s most important regional connectivity routes, and any instability there is directly linked to India’s strategic and commercial interests. Let’s understand how increased unrest in Iran could become a cause of concern for India.

Situation in Iran is continuously deteriorating
First, let’s talk about the deteriorating situation in Iran. The protests against the economic crisis that began in Iran at the end of December 2025 have now taken a serious turn. The initial protests were against inflation, unemployment, and the continuously falling Iranian currency against the dollar, but now they seem to be challenging the regime. According to reports, about 78 people have died in the unrest so far, although according to international media, this figure could be much higher. The situation has become so dire that the Iranian government has shut down internet and mobile services in the country since January 7.

Direct impact of the Iran crisis on India
India has invested heavily in various projects aimed at strengthening its access to Central Asia, Russia, and Europe, in which Iran serves as a crucial transit hub. The most important of these is the Chabahar port located on the southeastern coast of Iran, which provides India with a direct route to Afghanistan and the Middle East, bypassing Pakistan.

How much trade is there between Iran and India?
According to data shared by the Department of Commerce, bilateral trade between India and Iran reached approximately $1.68 billion in FY2024-25 (April 2024-March 2025). In this period, India exported goods worth $1.24 billion and imported goods worth $0.44 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $0.80 billion for New Delhi. Now, if the crisis escalates, operations at the Chabahar port could slow down, and freight movement through the INSTC is likely to be disrupted.

What goods are imported and exported between India and Iran?
In recent years, India has been one of Iran’s five largest trading partners. The main goods exported from India to Iran include rice, tea, sugar, medicines, artificial fibers, electrical machinery, and artificial jewelry. Conversely, the main imports from Iran to India include dried fruits, inorganic/organic chemicals, and glassware.