The signing of the peace agreement between Iran and the United States comes as a relief to all those who value peace. But it has arrived after immense suffering, loss of life, and destruction across West Asia, particularly in Iran and Lebanon.
For India, however, this moment raises uncomfortable questions about our place in the emerging world order.
1. The agreement was facilitated through the efforts of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey. India, despite its civilizational ties with Iran and despite Prime Minister Modi's much-publicised personal rapport with President Trump, was nowhere in the picture. We failed to leverage these relationships, enhance our diplomatic relevance, or contribute meaningfully to the pursuit of peace. Instead, our External Affairs Minister dismissed the very idea of mediation as “dalali”.
2. For years, India worked to expose Pakistan's role in sponsoring and exporting terrorism. Under the UPA government, sustained diplomatic efforts contributed to Pakistan being placed on the FATF grey list. Yet today, Pakistan has successfully projected itself as a stakeholder in global stability and a beacon of peace.
We lost not only the lives of our sailors, but also ground in the battle of perception and diplomacy. While others helped shape the outcome, India was reduced to a fly on the wall, a helpless, mute spectator.
This was never India's war. Yet somehow, we emerge diminished from it.
Modi hai tou mumkin hai!
“The Deal with Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all!” President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸