The government on Wednesday rejected suggestions that Pakistan had scored a diplomatic victory by offering to mediate between Iran and the United States, saying New Delhi does not seek the role of broker in the crisis. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking at an all-party meeting convened by the government, was quoted by sources as saying, “India cannot be a broker nation,” and emphasised that India pursues multi-alignment while protecting its national interests.
Jaishankar told leaders that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had raised the regional conflict in a conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, urging a swift resolution because “the war was hurting everybody,” according to officials present. Government sources said Jaishankar was contextualising Pakistan’s recent moves by recalling the neighbour’s history of inserting itself into international disputes, including acting as an intermediary between China and the U.S. in 1971 and between the U.S. and Iran in 1981.
Sources at the meeting stressed that Jaishankar’s remarks were not meant to mock or openly criticise Pakistan’s current diplomatic efforts. The minister also underlined that India continues to enjoy good relations with Iran even as it follows a multi-aligned foreign policy. He warned, however, that there was little clarity about the format and future of any U.S.–Iran talks, noting uncertainty over who would represent Iran in negotiations and pointing to the sudden emergence of parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf as Tehran’s chief negotiator.
The meeting, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, heard concerns from opposition MPs including Mukul Wasnik (Congress), John Brittas (CPM), Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM), Supriya Sule (NCP) and Sanjay Singh (AAP). They raised issues ranging from Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Israel shortly before the conflict escalated, to India’s response to the reported assassination of Iran’s supreme leader and worries about oil and gas supplies.
Representing the government were Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. Puri assured participants that India currently has adequate stocks of petrol and diesel and has moved to secure alternative supply sources. TMC was the only major opposition party to skip the meeting, calling instead for a full parliamentary debate on the issue.
Rijiju said the government had clearly explained its position to address opposition concerns and quoted ministers as urging unity: “In such a challenging situation, we all have to stand together. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made an appeal that the Parliament should rise together… I think the opposition parties have displayed maturity.”
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/cant-be-a-broker-nation-eam-at-all-party-meet/articleshow/129803425.cms
Category:
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-03-26 06:14:00
