Why India is best-placed to broker peace in US-Israel-Iran war
India Today
The President of Finland joined other global voices to suggest that India should mediate in the Iran-US-Israel war. Here's why India, a major economy with warm ties with Washington, Jerusalem, and Iran, and a heritage of non-alignment and strategic autonomy, might be the best bet to broker peace.
The US and Israel's war against Iran has entered its third week, and an end is still nowhere in sight. However, even as hostilities drag on, India is increasingly being described as one of the best-placed countries to mediate in the conflict. At least two voices in geopolitical and diplomatic circles have suggested that India, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are well-suited to broker peace. Now a third voice has joined the chorus.
The President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, in an interview with Bloomberg, called for India to help broker a US-Iran ceasefire, stating, "We need a ceasefire. I'm wondering if India can actually get involved. We saw Foreign Minister S Jaishankar call for a ceasefire to calm things down."
As of filing this story, there has been no diplomatic signal from India indicating any move to mediate in the US-Israel-Iran war, even as differences persist within BRICS over the conflict in the Middle East.
The only country that has openly offered to do so is China. However, Beijing is widely seen as less neutral due to its extensive purchases of Iranian oil and its support for Tehran's missile and drone arsenal through the supply of dual-use components and missile fuel.
Nevertheless, several factors place India in a uniquely favourable position to potentially mediate in the Iran war. These include its rising economic power, warm relations with Washington, Jerusalem and Tehran, its lack of expansionist ambitions or military adventurism, and, most importantly, its legacy as a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which continues to guide its vision of strategic autonomy.
Before we dive into the reasons that put India in a favourable position to mediate in the US-Israel-Iran war, let's have a look at who are the voices that have called for the same recently.
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