Pakistan's push in Iran war diplomacy - is India sidelined?

April 2, 2026

Pakistan has actively positioned itself as a mediator in the escalating US-Iran crisis, relaying peace proposals and coordinating with China, while India has remained notably absent from such diplomatic efforts. This has triggered intense debate within India's strategic and political circles about whether the country is missing a crucial opportunity or wisely avoiding ineffective grandstanding. Some Indian opposition leaders and analysts criticize the government's restraint as embarrassing, while others argue that mediation without leverage or invitation would be counterproductive and that India should focus on quiet diplomacy instead.

Who is affected

India (government and diplomatic establishment)
Pakistan (foreign ministry and government)
The Narendra Modi government
Indian opposition parties, particularly Congress party
Iran and the United States (as parties to the crisis)
Saudi Arabia and Gulf monarchies
Strategic analysts and experts in both India and Pakistan (named individuals include Brahma Chellaney, Happymon Jacob, Michael Kugelman, Ajay Bisaria, Nirupama Rao, Ejaz Haider, Umer Farooq, and Avinash Paliwal)
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar
China (as supporter of Pakistan's mediation efforts)

What action is being taken

Pakistan is relaying peace proposals between the US and Iran, having reportedly transmitted a 15-point US peace plan to Iran
Pakistan's foreign minister is flying to Beijing to seek Chinese backing for a five-point peace plan
Pakistan is offering to host talks between parties
The Indian opposition Congress party is attacking the government over the issue
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is dismissing Pakistan's role in all-party meetings
Strategic debates are ongoing within India's foreign policy community

Why it matters

This situation matters because it reflects India's struggle to balance its growing global ambitions with practical diplomatic realities. The crisis exposes tensions between India's self-projection as a leading Global South voice and bridge-builder versus its actual capabilities and strategic constraints in specific conflicts. For Pakistan, successful mediation efforts could enhance its international credibility and prevent its forced entry into a costly war on Saudi Arabia's side. The debate reveals fundamental questions about India's foreign policy approach—whether it should pursue visible diplomatic roles for their own sake or focus on substantive but less visible peacemaking capacity. Additionally, the conflict directly damages India's economic interests through regional instability and disruption of trade routes, making the country's response consequential regardless of whether it assumes a mediating role.

What's next

Bisaria suggests India should invest in building specialist capacity for the "nuts and bolts" of peacemaking in the long run, including handling hostage swaps, back-channel military contacts, and negotiating safe passage through strategic chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz
Analysts suggest India needs to develop less visible mechanics of conflict management rather than chasing headline-grabbing mediatory roles

Read full article from source: BBC