Iran vs Israel A Snapshot Through India’s Lens

As tensions escalate between Iran and Israel, I thought of sharing a few interesting facts about these two countries, not related to the war, but still worth knowing!

Size Comparison

• Iran is half the size of India. India spans 32,87,000 sq. km, while Iran covers 16,48,000 sq. km.
• Israel? It’s just a little smaller than Meghalaya — about 22,000 sq. km.
• In fact, Iran is 75 times bigger than Israel by land area!

Population

• Iran has a population of around 9 crore (90 million) — that’s roughly 6% of India’s population.
• Israel’s population is approximately 90 lakh (9 million) — similar to that of Jammu & Kashmir!

Distance Between Them

• The two countries are about 1,500 km apart, roughly the distance from Bangalore to Indore.

GDP Snapshot

• Iran’s nominal GDP: approx. USD 400 billion
• Israel’s nominal GDP: approx. USD 500 billion
• Israel, despite its smaller size, has a higher GDP than Iran. India’s GDP is 8-10 times bigger than both countries.

Main Sources of Income

• Iran: Predominantly from oil and natural gas exports.
• Israel: Driven by high-tech industries, electronics, defence technology, and innovation.

India’s Trade with Them

• With Iran, India enjoys a trade surplus.
  • Exports: ~USD 1.20 Billion
  • Imports: ~USD 0.70 Billion
• With Israel, India has a largely balanced trade.
  • Exports: ~USD 2.3 billion
  • Imports: ~USD 2.0 billion

India’s Political Relationship

• India maintains a carefully balanced relationship with both countries.
• We value Iran for its strategic location and energy, and Israel for its technology and defence collaboration.
• In short: We want both!

What is the impact on India from the Iran–Israel conflict?

• (a) Rise in Oil Prices – This can lead to higher inflation in India, increasing household and business expenses.
• (b) Trade and Shipping Disruptions – Escalating tensions may raise freight and insurance costs, reducing profit margins for Indian exporters and importers.
• (c) Safety of Indian Nationals – Ensuring the safety of Indians living or working in both countries becomes a critical concern for the Indian government.

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