The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has warned that ongoing military escalation in the Middle East risks pushing 2.5 million people in India into poverty, as rising fuel, freight, and food costs erode household purchasing power. A report released on April 14 estimates that 8.8 million people globally face poverty as a result of the conflict, with the wider Asia-Pacific region potentially losing up to $299 billion in economic output. India is particularly exposed due to its heavy reliance on imported energy — nearly 90% of its crude oil is sourced abroad — and disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz (a critical shipping chokepoint for Gulf oil exports) are adding pressure on import costs, the rupee's exchange rate, and public budgets.