India, July 24 -- First came a shortage, then some parties celebrating whatever stock was available, and now the price is climbing - that's the story of how a war seemingly far away can impact something like Diet Coke in India.

It started when the US and Israel's war on Iran sparked the Diet Coke shortage in India as supplies of aluminum cans were squeezed when global trade routes were hit. That gave birth to a small, unique phenomenon of "Diet Coke parties" in one of the world's largest consumer markets.

Now, across India, Coca-Cola has hiked prices of Diet Coke, sold as healthier version and predominantly in aluminium cans, by more than 10% due to the ongoing Middle East/West Asia conflict. The supply chain remains choked.

Now the co...