INDIA’S ENERGY DEPENDENCY ON IRAN IN VIEW OF US SANCTIONS

India's energy needs are a crucial element. The country today is the fourth largest consumer of energy in the world, soon likely to become the third. Oil constitutes nearly one-fourth of Indian energy consumption. Over three-quarters of that oil comes from abroad—a share that is only expected to increase. India has significantly reduced its oil imports from Iran, mostly as a result of sanctions, but also because of the availability of other import sources and India's preference for diversifying its dependence as much as possible. However, Iran still accounts for 6% of total Indian oil imports. There have been additional causes for strain in the India-Iran relationship—some that have played out quite publicly, thus shaping the Indian public's view of Iran. In 2012, a terrorist attack on an Israeli connected with the embassy in Delhi raised hackles.