India’s diplomacy is measured and not quiet

India’s Response to Israel-Iran Conflict

• India’s response to the Israel-Iran conflict was cautious, calling for restraint and de-escalation to maintain peace in the region.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed concern for humanitarian losses and reiterated that this cannot be an era of war.

• India has provided humanitarian aid when requested, voted for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza at the United Nations General Assembly, and swiftly evacuated its citizens from conflict zones.

India’s Growing Credibility and Diplomatic Weight

• India’s strategic silence is a sign of its growing credibility and diplomatic weight.

• India has strategic interests in West Asia, including close defence cooperation with Israel, energy and trade ties with Iran, and a large diaspora spread across many Gulf countries.

• India’s economic ties have to take centre stage in diplomatic calculations, and unnecessarily intervening in a war not ours is against national interests and irresponsible.

India’s Foreign Policy Calculations

• India’s foreign policy calculations take into account its own national interests, security, value system, and growth story.

• West Asia is one of the most politically unstable regions in the world, and possessing nuclear weapons would dramatically increase the risk of escalation and unauthorised use.

• A stable West Asia requires arms control, de-escalation, and regional cooperation.

India’s Strategic Autonomy

• India cannot selectively ignore the role of Iran in destabilizing the region or the attack by Hamas on Israel.

• Selective outrage and heated opinions disguised as moralistic views run a dangerous undercurrent against the core interests of the country.

• India’s strategic autonomy reflects its quiet confidence, conviction, and clarity.