Shashi Tharoor has also voiced his worry that India has been involved in the current war in a limited way in the conflict between the United States and Iran, saying that he is not pleased with the fact that Pakistan has led the way in peace mediation. Congress MP too reported the situation as being somehow embarrassing to India considering its position in the world and its diplomatic ties.
The comments by Tharoor are in the midst of the backlash by the Opposition parties including the Congress in regard to what they feel is the inaction of the Modi government to encourage dialogue between the two countries. He said that he had been in support of the government being cautious in the first place, and hoped that in the future India would move forward to play an important role in mediation.
Tharoor hoped that India would leverage its good rapport with both parties to provide breathing room to peace making and come up as a major agent of peace. Nonetheless, he concluded that the most recent events, in which Pakistan is said to have played an active role in the mediation process with such countries as Turkey and Egypt are disappointing.
The intensifying conflict after US-Israel joint attacks on Iran in the end of February has resulted in the increasing tension in the Middle East and the possibility of the global energy crisis. The shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz has also increased the anxiety of the oil supply disruption.
Tharoor once again reiterated that India, with its moderate relations in the region is well-placed to play a positive role and needs to adopt a more aggressive approach in its diplomacy of fostering peace.