Helsinki, June 13: India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed optimism regarding the potential success of the ongoing US-Iran negotiations. He noted that the persistent conflict is creating significant challenges, leaving much of the world in a state of despair.
During a panel discussion on “Emerging Powers and New Geopolitical Rivalries” at the Kultarenta Talks in Helsinki, Jaishankar emphasized that many countries, including India, are striving to reduce tensions amid escalating conflicts.
When asked whether India is merely a “frustrated observer” or if it can play a more active role in managing the situation, Jaishankar stated, “I believe that most of the world is caught in a frustrated observer position right now. However, many countries are trying to do what they can in this situation. It is not due to a lack of effort. I am only speaking about us, but certainly, there are not many countries that have good relations with all involved parties. Therefore, it is clear that we have engaged with these countries. We are in contact with them. We are hopeful that the US-Iran talks will yield results soon, as ongoing fighting is causing problems.”
Jaishankar further highlighted the complexities of the situation in West Asia, noting that India maintains strong relationships with all major stakeholders in the region, including the US, Israel, Iran, and Gulf countries. When asked about India’s assessment of the dual challenges posed by the Russia-Ukraine war and the situation concerning Iran, he reiterated India’s significant role among the world’s major powers in addressing global issues.
In response to a question, Jaishankar remarked, “Most countries are committed to the wars they fight and are not clear about the wars they consider common. Therefore, I can think of many wars around me that the rest of the world does not have a clear perspective on. In this particular case, the challenge is that you have four parties involved: the US, Israel, and Iran. I am considering the Gulf countries as a party, although I believe they are; their position is very different, and we have very good, strong relations with all of them.”
When asked if this assessment applies to Iran as well, Jaishankar affirmed that India has “good and strong relations” with Tehran, while also noting that the nature and scope of New Delhi’s relationships with the four key players in the region are not the same.
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Deependra Singh Chundawat is a Senior Sub-Editor at Udaipur Kiran, specializing in a wide range of technology topics including mobile phones, applications, gaming, PCs, and wearables. Along with covering the latest tech news, he also creates engaging web stories. Passionate about emerging technologies, he stays up to date with the newest trends and enjoys reading and writing about the latest mobile launches and digital innovations.
