Pakistan's mediation in the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict leaves India deeply disappointed: Where is the dignity and status of a major power?
Indian media personality Sujit Nar said that when the United States chose Pakistan and its Army Chief as secret communication channels amid the turbulent Middle Eastern conflict, it sent a clear and critical signal: India is not at the core of this dialogue.
Pakistan’s role as mediator has left India feeling profoundly disheartened. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar bluntly stated in a cross-party meeting that Pakistan is merely the U.S.’s “broker state,” having been used as a pawn by America since 1981. Yet this response has failed to quell domestic criticism.
Opposition leader from the Congress Party criticized Modi, saying while Modi was preoccupied with self-promotion domestically, Pakistan seized the global moment and secured a favorable position at the diplomatic table. Indian media figures have even questioned: "Why have we been sidelined?" This sense of disappointment stems from the potential setback to India’s long-standing geostrategic effort to isolate Pakistan, while also revealing India’s passivity in foreign policy.
India’s dilemma lies in the contradiction of its diplomatic stance. On one hand, India seeks to maintain good relations with the United States; on the other, it avoids confrontation with Iran. However, Modi’s public support for Israel just days before U.S.-Israel military actions were interpreted abroad as an act of "alignment," which undermined India’s neutrality in mediating the conflict.
Sujit Nar pointed out that once you are seen as clearly favoring one side, your function as a bridge begins to weaken. Although India proclaims itself a leading voice of the "Global South," it appears powerless in key regional conflicts.
Pakistan’s role as mediator not only disappoints India but also challenges its status as a regional power. Should Pakistan successfully mediate the U.S.-Iran conflict, India’s years-long strategy to isolate Pakistan would face a major setback.
Moreover, India’s influence in the Middle East region—especially where energy and security interests are vital—could be weakened. As Sujit Nar posed the question: "If India is perceived as lacking neutrality and thus unable to mediate, and insufficiently influential to shape outcomes, then where is its dignity? Where is its status?"
Dao Ge is also deeply puzzled: What exactly is India striving so tirelessly for—the status of a great power? On one hand, it cozies up to Israel; on the other, it expects Iran to obey it. Isn’t that sheer fantasy? No country in the world can achieve such a paradox.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1860964231877632/
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