Iran-Israel war may directly impact your daily expenses, list of items which can become expensive in India
The ongoing fight between Iran and Israel is not just a problem for the Middle East, but for the whole world. It is already starting to affect India too, and soon, you may feel the impact on your wallet. As soon as the conflict began, the price of crude oil in the international market started going up sharply. In fact, it jumped by more than 11 per cent. The global benchmark for oil, called Brent Crude, reached USD 75.32 per barrel.
Why does this matter? Because India buys a lot of its oil from other countries. When oil prices go up, fuel becomes more expensive, and this makes everything from food to transport costlier. So, the longer this war continues, the more likely it is that prices in India will rise.
In short, even though the fight is happening far away, it could soon make things more expensive for all of us at home.
What experts say
Experts believe that if the Iran-Israel conflict continues for a long time, the price of crude oil could go up to USD 120 per barrel. If that happens, inflation in India will rise sharply. This would mean higher fuel prices across the country, which will then lead to a rise in the cost of food items and other daily needs making life more expensive for everyone.
Even though India does not directly buy oil from Iran because of US sanctions, Iran still plays a major role in the global oil market. So, any disturbance there affects the whole world, including India.
What if Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz?
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important sea routes in the world for oil trade. This narrow waterway is made up of eight islands and Iran controls seven of them.
Every day, one-third of the world’s crude oil passes through this route. For India, this strait is even more crucial because over two-thirds of our crude oil and more than half of our LNG (natural gas) imports come through it.
If Iran shuts down the Strait of Hormuz, it would create big problems in the supply chain. Ships would need to take longer, alternate routes. This would increase both delivery time and fuel costs.
What could become expensive in India?
If the conflict continues, many everyday items and industrial products could become more expensive — especially goods that are imported from Iran or Israel. This includes fuel, cooking gas, and possibly electronics, fertilizers, and machinery used in industries.
In short, any blockage in this sea route could hit the Indian economy hard and make life costlier for the common people.
These items may get expensive if the war continues
If the Iran-Israel war doesn’t stop soon, many things you use daily or depend on might become more costly. Here’s what could get expensive in India:
- Electronics and gadgets (like phones, laptops, etc.)
- Fertilizers (which may make food crops costlier)
- Industrial salts, chemicals, and plastic items
- Fruits, dry fruits, and edible oils
- Iron, steel, and machinery
- Jewelry and precious stones (since imports may get delayed)
India’s relations with Iran and Israel
India has friendly ties with both Iran and Israel, and it tries hard to keep a balance between the two countries even though they are in conflict with each other.
India and Israel trade in things like electronics, defense technology, chemicals, and fertilizers. With Iran, India deals in fruits, chemicals, cement, salt, and fuel-related products.
According to recent trade data (from March 2024 to 2025), India’s exports to Iran increased by 47.1 per cent, while imports from Iran dropped by 23.6 per cent.
What Can India Do?
To reduce the risk, India needs to be ready for such supply problems. It’s important to:
- Diversify fuel sources
- Explore different trade routes
- Build strong energy and trade alternatives
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