Berlin: Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said “India had tried” to mediate between the US and Iran and indicated Delhi remained open to playing a larger role in peace efforts amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia that has stretched for over 50 days.
“India tried from its side…. But everything has a moment. It is possible that tomorrow, the time may come when India plays its role in this and achieves success as well. This possibility cannot be ruled out. The Prime Minister has appealed to both sides to end the war. Our Prime Minister has a very balanced approach to diplomatic matters,” Rajnath said in Hindi while addressing an event in Berlin.
The defense minister, who is on a three-day visit to Germany, was responding to a specific question from the audience on whether India has any role to play in initiating peace amid the ongoing crisis.
Last month, external affairs minister S. Jaishankar, at an all-party meeting on the West Asia crisis, said India cannot act as a “dalal nation (broker)” in global geopolitics after the Opposition flagged Pakistan’s role in mediating talks between the US and Iran.
Earlier, Rajnath said disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz were not distant events but “have direct implications for India’s security and economic stability”.
