The Jacob Shapiro Podcast The View From Delhi
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Apr 3, 2026 Kabir Taneja, Executive Director of ORF Middle East and India–Middle East specialist, offers an Indian lens on regional turmoil. He talks about public economic anxiety over energy, why Dubai matters to India, the limits of nonalignment, Iran’s central role in any settlement, and how India balances ties with Gulf states, the U.S., China, Russia, and Pakistan.
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Panic Buying Of Electric Stoves In Delhi
- Rumors of an LPG cooking gas shortage triggered panicked purchases of electric stoves in Delhi despite them being ill-suited for Indian cooking.
- Taneja notes WhatsApp and social media rumors spread faster than government reassurances.
India's Energy System Was Wired For Iranian Oil
- India built energy ties to Iran historically, including refineries tailored for Iranian crude and investments like Chabahar port.
- Taneja explains lost access after JCPOA reversal forced costly diversification to Angola, Nigeria, Venezuela and spot markets.
JCPOA Reversal Exposed India's Sanctions Vulnerability
- India backed the JCPOA process and scaled Iranian imports to nearly zero expecting continuity across U.S. administrations.
- The Trump withdrawal demonstrated sanctions' volatility and left India with stranded risks from prior diversification choices.