President Trump's sanctions on Iran could be a sharp blow to India

US President Donald Trump’s reimposition of sanctions designed to punish Iran’s nuclear programme will give India six months to slash its hydrocarbon imports from the West Asian nation, senior American diplomats have said. In addition to forcing India to retool oil refineries to process alternative crude, the sanctions could cripple strategic investments New Delhi sees as key to its regional interests.

Experts are also warning of a nuclear weapons race in West Asia — a development of extreme concern to India, as it would give nuclear-capable adversary Pakistan renewed leverage across the region as a provider of technology and experts.