New Delhi, March 22 (NationPress) India's position regarding the ongoing US-Israel actions against Iran showcases a sense of pragmatism rather than a passive stance, ensuring that New Delhi's opportunities for engagement in the Middle East remain intact while preserving its relationships with regional partners, according to a recent report.

Since the end of the Cold War, India has adopted a more pragmatic diplomatic approach towards West Asia. This shift began during Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's administration, which initiated a strategic de-hyphenation and embraced multi-faceted engagement in the region, with the establishment of ties with Israel as a priority, as highlighted in a report by India Narrative.

In a notable instance of pragmatic diplomacy, Iranian President Mohammed Khatami attended India's Republic Day celebrations that same year. The two countries also signed the Delhi Declaration, a landmark agreement focusing on energy security and a strategic partnership. This was a pivotal moment for India, as it began diversifying its energy resources with the Gulf, establishing relations with Saudi Arabia that extended beyond mere oil transactions, as noted by national security analyst Srijan Sharma in the report.

However, the Vajpayee government’s policy faced a significant challenge, reminiscent of the dilemmas encountered by the VP Singh administration during the Gulf War in 1991. The US invasion of Iraq in 2003 tested India's capacity to realign its strategy with West Asia. India opted for a balanced approach, which was far more calculated than the chaotic responses of 1991—such as during the US plane re-fueling crises and I.K. Gujral’s controversial visit to Iraq that sent mixed signals to both the West and the Gulf.

Vajpayee’s approach to diplomacy was characterized by a thoughtful strategy that clarified India’s position while managing its relations with Gulf nations in the context of US ties. During this period, Indian parliamentarians unanimously passed a resolution condemning the war in April 2003, a stance communicated to the US, which was unable to pressure India beyond a certain threshold.

Moreover, India's Gulf partners appreciated the parliament's condemnation of the conflict, bolstering New Delhi's growing influence in West Asia. Presently, India finds itself in a similar scenario, seemingly adhering to a quiet form of pragmatism.

Since 2014, India has revitalized its Look West policy, transforming it into what can be described as an 'Act West' strategy, which emphasizes strategic de-hyphenation and autonomy in Middle Eastern affairs. This elevation of India's strategic relevance was evident when India was recognized as a key strategic partner and influencer in broader regional interests, particularly through initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the I2U2 Group, which includes India, Israel, the UAE, and the US.

Currently, the government has reinforced Vajpayee’s foundational approach to West Asia, effectively managing relationships amid complex Gulf dynamics. India's position on the ongoing US-Israel operations against Iran illustrates a pragmatic rather than a passive response. Although there is a noticeable reduction in reactive measures and a trend towards quieter diplomacy, the underlying strategic intent remains evident, mirroring Vajpayee’s approach in 2003.

India has recently condemned Iran’s attacks on Gulf nations diplomatically, utilizing its strategically cultivated relationship with Iran—bolstered by the Chabahar Project—to negotiate safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and ensure smooth naval operations under Operation Sankalp. While largely refraining from direct involvement in the conflict, this strategy does not hinder India’s engagement prospects in the Middle East nor jeopardize its relations with Gulf partners. Critics who remain silent on this matter should recognize that there is no absolute silence—only a strategically guided silence shaped by pragmatic objectives that empower India to act swiftly in its interests.