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Op-Ed MARCH 27, 2026 | The Indian Eye 8

INDIAN INTEREST

Not an Era of War,

Nor an Era of Diplomacy

guaranteed in the current climate of
mistrust. Moreover, without a broad-
er international push for dialogue,
any unilateral effort may have limit-
ed impact.
The larger issue, then, is not sim-
ply the absence of a mediator but the
absence of a diplomatic framework
itself. There is no clear process, no
convening platform, no sustained ini-
tiative aimed at de-escalation. This
vacuum is perhaps the defining fea-
ture of the current crisis.
SHOBHAN SAXENA If the conflict continues to spread,
the consequences could be profound.
here was a time when the Beyond immediate humanitarian
phrase “not an era of war” — costs, there is the risk of a long-term
Tinvoked memorably by Prime fragmentation of the global order.
Minister Narendra Modi — carried Trade routes could be disrupted, al-
within it a moral aspiration: that If the conflict continues to spread, the consequences could be profound. Beyond immediate liances reshaped, and multilateral
global conflicts, however deep, would humanitarian costs, there is the risk of a long-term fragmentation of the global order (Agency) institutions further weakened. The
ultimately yield to dialogue. But the normalization of conflict — without
ongoing confrontation involving Iran, even the pretense of negotiation —
Israel, and the United States suggests al advocates of diplomacy appear it maintains longstanding relations may set a dangerous precedent.
that we are not merely witnessing a constrained — either by strategic with Iran, not least due to geograph- In such a scenario, the world
breakdown of peace, but something alignments or by the sheer pace of ic and economic considerations. risks drifting into a paradoxical state:
perhaps more troubling — the ab- unfolding events. More immediately, India faces one where war is frequent but not
sence of diplomatic imagination. The war, consequently, is spread- two pressing concerns: energy secu- formally declared, and diplomacy
This is not quite a full-scale ing not only geographically but also rity and the welfare of its diaspora. is invoked but rarely practiced. It is
world war, yet it is no longer a con- politically. Proxy theaters risk acti- The Gulf region, already tense, hosts neither an era of peace nor one of
tained regional conflict either. What vation, maritime routes face disrup- millions of Indian nationals whose structured conflict resolution.
distinguishes this moment is not just tions, and energy markets remain safety becomes increasingly precari- To reverse this trajectory, a re-
the escalation of violence, but the volatile. Each failed opportunity for ous as conflict spreads. Any disrup- newed commitment to diplomacy is
striking absence of credible diplo- dialogue widens the arc of instability. tion in oil supplies or shipping lanes essential — not as rhetoric, but as
matic effort. The machinery of di- At the same time, the United could also have direct economic re- practice. This would require major
alogue appears stalled, if not aban- States finds itself relatively isolated percussions for India, which remains powers to invest political capital in
doned altogether. in its approach. While it remains the heavily dependent on energy imports. dialogue, regional actors to priori-
From the outset, diplomacy was central military and strategic actor, India’s official statements have tize de-escalation over assertion, and
sidelined. Even as tensions escalated many countries have shown reluc- been cautious, emphasizing restraint institutions to reclaim their role as
in West Asia, there were few sus- tance to fully align with its posture. and dialogue. In a recent communi- facilitators of negotiation.
tained attempts at backchannel ne- This hesitation is not necessarily cation, Narendra Modi expressed The alternative is a world where
gotiations or multilateral mediation. rooted in support for Iran, but rather “deep concern over the deteriorating crises are managed only through
The familiar institutions — the Unit- in a broader discomfort with the con- security situation” and reiterated the force and deterrence — a world that
ed Nations, European interlocutors, sequences of escalation. The mem- need for stability. Yet, beyond such is perpetually on edge, yet incapable
or regional forums — have struggled ory of prolonged conflicts — from statements lies a deeper question: of meaningful resolution.
to assert relevance. Instead, military Iraq to Afghanistan — lingers heavi- can India act as a mediator? In that sense, the current mo-
signaling and retaliatory strikes have ly in global strategic thinking. The answer is uncertain. India’s ment is not just a test of strategic
dominated the discourse. For India, the situation is par- strategic autonomy and its relatively choices, but of political imagination.
What is perhaps most concern- ticularly complex. New Delhi’s posi- balanced relations with multiple ac- Whether the international communi-
ing is that few major powers are ac- tion reflects a delicate balancing act tors could, in theory, position it as a ty can rediscover the value of diplo-
tively advocating for dialogue in a shaped by competing interests. On credible interlocutor. However, me- macy may well determine whether
sustained, visible manner. Silence, one hand, India has deepening stra- diation requires not just neutrality this becomes an era defined by con-
in this context, becomes complic- tegic ties with Israel, including in de- but also acceptance by the warring flict — or one that, despite its turbu-
ity in escalation. Even tradition- fense and technology. On the other, parties — something that is far from lence, finds a way back to dialogue.

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