India Expresses Hope for Lasting Peace in Middle East; Here is What Opposition Leaders Said
Welcoming the ceasefire reached between the United States and Iran, India has expressed hope that this development will lead to the establishment of lasting peace in West Asia.
Issuing a statement on Wednesday regarding recent developments in West Asia, the Ministry of External Affairs noted that India has consistently emphasized the resolution of this dispute through dialogue and diplomacy.
The Ministry stated: "We welcome the ceasefire and hope that it will lead to the establishment of lasting peace in West Asia. As we have consistently maintained in the past, de-escalation of tensions, dialogue, and diplomacy are essential for a speedy resolution of the conflict.
"This conflict has already caused immense suffering to the people and disrupted global energy supplies and trade networks. We hope that the unimpeded freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the flow of global trade will be maintained."
Notably, the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire early Wednesday morning. The US and Israel had initiated attacks against Iran on February 28. In retaliation, Iran also launched attacks on US bases located in West Asian countries, as well as on Israel. These attacks have resulted in extensive loss of life and property. In protest against these attacks, Iran had disrupted the movement of oil and gas tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, thereby impacting the global supply of crude oil and gas.
What did opposition leaders say following the ceasefire between the US and Iran?
A two-week ceasefire has been established between the United States and Iran—a development that has also been accepted by Israel. India's neighbor, Pakistan, has mediated this ceasefire.
Following the announcement of the ceasefire, reactions have emerged from leaders of opposition parties in India. The Congress party has raised questions regarding Prime Minister Modi's leadership.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote on X: "The role played by Pakistan in securing this ceasefire deals a major blow to Modi's brand of 'personal diplomacy'."
"February 28 began with the targeted killing of top leaders of the Iranian regime. These events unfolded exactly two days after the conclusion of Prime Minister Modi's much-hyped visit to Israel. This visit has diminished India's global credibility and standing."
He further wrote: "The Foreign Minister had previously dismissed Pakistan as a 'broker.' However, the self-styled 'Vishwa Guru' (Global Guru) now stands completely exposed; his self-proclaimed '56-inch chest' has shrunk."
Priyanka Chaturvedi, a leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT), wrote on X: "Why should India have been at the negotiating table between the US and Iran? The criticism is baffling, as this was not our fight. For Pakistan, this is akin to a tortoise accepting money to claim it can resolve a crisis—a point India's Foreign Minister articulated quite aptly during the all-party meeting."
Omar Abdullah, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, wrote on X: "The ceasefire has led to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz—the very same Strait of Hormuz that was open and easily accessible to everyone before the war began. So, ultimately, what exactly did the US achieve from this 39-day conflict?"