India's Unique Diplomatic Position in West Asia Conflict, Says Minister Rijiju
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated on Thursday that India remains one of the few nations capable of engaging with all sides in the ongoing West Asia conflict. He strongly defended the government's diplomatic strategy, rejecting opposition claims that India has adopted a passive bystander role in the crisis.
Strategic Engagement and Safe Passage
Rijiju emphasized India's active involvement by highlighting the safe passage of Indian vessels through critical waterways. "If our ships are passing through the Strait of Hormuz and continue to move safely, that itself shows India's position," he declared. He pointed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomatic outreach as evidence of India's balanced approach.
"Our PM has spoken to the US President, Israeli PM, Iranian President and leaders of Gulf countries. Very few leaders in the world can speak to all sides," Rijiju added, underscoring India's unique diplomatic capability.
Addressing Opposition Concerns
The minister described a recent all-party meeting on the West Asia situation as "productive", noting that opposition leaders raised valid concerns which were thoroughly addressed by the government. "At the end of the meeting, opposition parties said they would stand with government during this critical time," Rijiju reported, indicating bipartisan support for India's stance.
Responding specifically to criticism about India's response to the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Rijiju clarified, "It was not delayed. The foreign secretary went on the first day when the condolence book was opened." This statement aimed to counter allegations of diplomatic sluggishness.
India's Stability Amid Global Crises
Rijiju further highlighted India's resilience through multiple international challenges over the past decade. He listed:
- The COVID-19 pandemic
- The Russia-Ukraine war
- The Gaza conflict
- Ongoing tensions in West Asia
Despite these global upheavals, India has maintained remarkable stability and continued its diplomatic engagements, according to the minister. This stability, he suggested, enables India to play a constructive role in complex international disputes like the West Asia conflict.
The minister's remarks come amid heightened tensions in the region, including incidents affecting Indian nationals. Recent reports indicate one Indian citizen died and another was injured by missile debris in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the direct impact of the conflict on India's diaspora. Additionally, strategic locations like the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, often called the 'Gate of Tears', are emerging as potential choke points following the Strait of Hormuz, further complicating regional dynamics.
Rijiju's defense of India's diplomatic posture reinforces the government's narrative of maintaining strategic autonomy while safeguarding national interests. By engaging with all parties—from the United States and Israel to Iran and Gulf nations—India positions itself as a potential mediator and stable partner in a volatile region.
