India has welcomed the two-week ceasefire in the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, but it has avoided mentioning Pakistan or acknowledging its mediation efforts.
While world leaders are praising Pakistan for its mediation, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has not only ignored this in its official statements but has also remained silent about the possible Islamabad-based negotiations between Iran and the U.S.
In a statement issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, it said, “We welcome the decision for a ceasefire. We hope this will help establish lasting peace in West Asia. As we have stated before, ceasefire, negotiations, and diplomacy are essential to end the ongoing conflict.”
The statement further added that the conflict has caused extensive destruction so far. “It has disrupted global oil and energy supplies and trade systems. We hope that ships carrying trade and oil can pass freely through the Strait of Hormuz.”
Earlier, when Pakistan emerged as a mediator between the U.S. and Iran, opposition parties in India called it a diplomatic setback for the country.
Foreign Minister S.J. Shankar, when asked about Pakistan’s mediation in a meeting with opposition leaders, said that India does not want to be a broker or intermediary country. Pakistan attributed Shankar’s statement to his irritation.
Although India’s Ministry of External Affairs did not mention Pakistan’s mediation, opposition leaders, journalists, and analysts are praising Pakistan’s role and mocking the Modi government’s diplomacy.
Congress leader Rashid Alvi reacted to the ceasefire by saying, “What Pakistan has achieved, India should have done. But when Prime Minister Modi calls Israel the ‘Fatherland,’ how can he even talk about a ceasefire?”
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