What began as a distant conflict in Middle East could now disrupt something as basic as birth control in India. A string of recent reports says the country’s condom manufacturers are grappling with a severe supply-chain crunch, triggering emerging shortages and the risk of sharp price hikes. India’s condom market is large and strategically important. It is valued at about ₹860–8,170 crore rupees and produces more than 400 crore condoms every year. State-run HLL Lifecare Ltd alone makes around 221 crore condoms annually, while major private players like Mankind Pharma and Cupid supply both the domestic and export markets. To keep prices low for a population of 140 crore, the industry runs on a high‑volume, low‑margin model, a structure now being badly shaken, thanks to the American-Israel attacks on Iran that triggered the current Middle East crisis. What is the Middle East condom connection? The problem lies in the raw materials. Condom production depends heavily on anhydrous ammonia, used to stabilise natural rubber latex, and silicone oil, used as lubricant.