Shashi Tharoor urges govt to take ‘proactive lead’ in ending West Asia conflict | India News
New Delhi: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor It called on the central government on Wednesday to take a “proactive lead” in demanding an immediate end to the growing conflict in West Asia.The Lok Sabha MP said that neither side is benefiting from the ongoing hostilities, while other countries are bearing the cost through disruptions in global oil, gas and supply chains.
The Congress leader said that both American and Iranian objectives have largely been met, making the continuation of the conflict detrimental to global interests.“I’ve publicly called on the government to take the lead in demanding an end to this conflict now. I think both sides have clearly reached a point where they’re doing nobody any favors. The Americans say they’ve hit all the targets they want to hit. At the same time, the Iranians have succeeded in being able to protect their regime and continue themselves.”Tharoor also warned that instability in the region was affecting the wider world, particularly through disruptions to vital supply routes.“The world is suffering. We have real problems getting supplies, oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz. The whole region should not be held hostage to this particular conflict. I think this conflict should end,” he said.The current round of conflicts in West Asia began with the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, sparking a fight between Israel and the United States on one side and Iran on the other.The conflict escalated after the 86-year-old leader was killed in a joint US-Israeli military strike. Iran responded by targeting Israeli and US assets in several Gulf countries and Israel, disrupting the Strait of Hormuz and affecting global energy markets and economic stability.Because of the conflict, Iran has effectively restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies.However, Iran’s supreme leader’s representative in India, Abdul Majeed Hakim Elahi, had earlier said that Indian ships would be allowed to pass through the strategically important waterway. He added that Iran’s leadership was aware of the expressions of sympathy of the Indian people and aware of India’s energy needs.Meanwhile, an Indian LPG carrier Nanda Devi arrived at Vadinar port in Jamnagar, Gujarat on Tuesday, carrying 46,500 metric tonnes of LPG for ship-to-ship transfer after successfully transiting the Strait of Hormuz.On Monday evening, the Indian carrier LPG Shivalik, carrying 46,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas, arrived at Mundra Port. Of this, 20,000 MT will be unloaded at Mundra, while the remaining 26,000 MT is scheduled for Mangalore.
