India's Foreign Trade Resilient Amid West Asia Conflict, Says Minister

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has assured that India's foreign trade remains stable despite the ongoing conflict in West Asia and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. He highlighted the country's ability to adapt by sourcing energy from alternative nations and utilizing various maritime routes for trade. While acknowledging the challenges posed by the situation, Sonowal emphasized that India's economy has not been significantly impacted. However, he warned that prolonged closures of the strait could affect trade with Gulf countries. This article delves into the minister's insights on India's trade resilience.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 19, 2026, 09:11 IST

Impact of West Asia Conflict on India's Trade

Guwahati, July 19: Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, stated on Saturday that India's foreign trade has remained largely stable despite the ongoing conflict in West Asia and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

In an interview, Sonowal noted that while many nations have faced economic challenges due to the turmoil in West Asia, India's economy has shown resilience. He remarked, “Although the conflict has impacted various economies, India has managed to withstand the effects relatively well.”

The minister acknowledged that the repeated closures of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for global oil and gas, have posed challenges for all nations, given that Gulf countries produce 60% of the world's energy resources. However, he emphasized that India has successfully diversified its energy procurement strategies by sourcing from alternative oil and gas-producing nations.

Sonowal highlighted that maritime routes account for 95% of India's foreign trade by volume, and while the closure of the Strait of Hormuz presents a significant challenge, India has adapted by utilizing various other trade routes.

“We are leveraging multiple routes for our foreign trade, allowing us to maintain connections with European and African nations, as well as the USA. Additionally, we have established a new route to Russia, ensuring that our foreign trade remains largely unaffected by the disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz,” he explained.

However, he cautioned that prolonged closures of the strait could indeed impact trade with Gulf countries.