Relevance: GS II (International Relations) | Source: The Hindu

1. What is the News? 

• The war between the U.S./Israel and Iran is getting worse.
• However, alongside the fighting, a new attempt at peace has started. Pakistan is trying to act as a middleman (mediator) to get the U.S. and Iran to talk and stop the war.

2. Who is doing what?

• Pakistan (The Middleman): Pakistan is offering its capital city, Islamabad, as a neutral place for peace talks. It wants to stop the war because a large war next door in Iran will easily spill over into Pakistan.
• The “Middle Powers”: Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt held a meeting to support these peace talks. This shows that regional countries want to solve their own neighborhood problems without waiting for Western superpowers.
• Iran (The Skeptic): Iran does not trust this at all. Iranian leaders feel these “peace talks” are just a fake cover story. They believe the U.S. is just buying time to secretly send more army troops to the region.

3. What is India’s Stand?

India is following its trusted policy of Strategic Autonomy (making independent choices, not joining any specific team blindly).

India urgently wants peace because a long war hurts us in three big ways:

• Petrol & Oil (Energy Security): The war blocks important sea routes. This makes the crude oil we buy very expensive.
• The Economy (Money): Wars create global panic. Foreigners take their money out of India, which makes our Rupee weak and everyday items more costly (inflation).
• Safety of Indians (Diaspora): Lakhs of Indian citizens live, work, and earn their livelihood in the Gulf countries. Their safety is the government’s top worry.

UPSC Value Box

With reference to India’s foreign policy and its interests in West Asia, consider the following statements:

1. The policy of ‘Strategic Autonomy’ allows India to maintain independent, friendly relations with both the United States and Iran.
2. A major reason for India’s concern regarding stability in West Asia is the safety of the large Indian diaspora working in the Gulf region.
3. India is officially a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to guarantee its continuous supply of crude oil.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (a)