India won't be dragged into Iran war, but can't stay indifferent: Shashi Tharoor

While India is unlikely to enter the conflict in the Middle East militarily, the repercussions are already being felt, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said, particularly by Indian nationals living and working in the Gulf states.

India will not be drawn into the ongoing war in the Middle East, but the conflict is already having serious consequences for the country and its citizens abroad, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor told India Today TV.

In an exclusive conversation with Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai as US-Israel's war on Iran entered the seventh day, Tharoor stated that New Delhi’s priority should be pushing for a ceasefire at the earliest.

“It is very much in India’s interest to demand de-escalation and diplomacy,” Tharoor said.

While India is unlikely to enter the conflict militarily, the repercussions are already being felt, he said, particularly by Indian nationals living and working in the Gulf states. He highlighted the plight of those who were stranded at airports due to projectiles flying overhead as well as business-owners impacted due to the outbreak of war.

“We are a country with nine to ten million of our nationals in the Gulf. For us, this is something that really does affect their lives and their ability to do well, send remittances home, all of that. So we can't be indifferent,” he said.

Tharoor’s remarks come amid political sparring after the US announced a 30-day waiver "allowing" India to continue purchasing Russian oil. The move by the Donald Trump administration is aimed at stabilising global energy markets as tensions in the Middle East drive uncertainty in oil supplies.