India, May 2 -- To say that India is walking the global ramp of diplomacy with absolute panache during west Asian crisis is no exaggeration. India's manoeuvres during this geopolitical disruption demonstrates her visionary foresight and diplomatic agility. This story has to be documented for posterity.

India's vulnerability - The scale

As the world's third-largest importer of crude oil India's exposure to Middle Eastern volatility is enormous. Almost 45 per cent of India's crude oil, 60 per cent of her natural gas, and over 90 per cent of her LPG imports come from the Middle East.

The Strait of Hormuz through which around 20 per cent of the world's oil passes can be called the lifeline of India. If this route were blocked or disrupted,...