In a swift diplomatic maneuver, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar engaged in separate phone talks with the foreign ministers of Iran and Israel on Saturday. The conversations focused on the alarming escalation in West Asia, with Jaishankar making a strong case for de-escalation amid missile exchanges that threaten to ignite a wider war.
Triggering the crisis, US-Israel joint operations struck key Iranian assets, prompting Tehran’s fierce counterattack on Israeli and American targets in the Gulf. Israel labeled its actions pre-emptive, while the US branded the campaign ‘Operation Epic Fury.’
Posting on X, Jaishankar detailed his exchange with Iran’s Seyed Abbas Araghchi, conveying India’s grave concerns and the imperative to avoid more chaos. His prior call to Israel’s Gideon Sa’ar reinforced that only through communication can tensions be diffused.
India’s official stance, as per the MEA, calls for all sides to shun military escalation, honor national sovereignties, and embrace restraint. President Trump backed the strikes and spoke of potential Iranian leadership overhaul, met with defiant warnings from Tehran.
The standoff risks engulfing the region in catastrophe, with global organizations sounding alarms on humanitarian fallout. India’s proactive stance reflects its delicate balancing act between longstanding Iranian partnerships and robust Israeli alliances, all while protecting vital trade routes and energy supplies.
As missiles fly and rhetoric heats up, New Delhi’s appeals underscore a commitment to peace, positioning India as a pivotal mediator in this powder keg.