India Must Lead

BLOG 20/2026 DATED 23RD MARCH 2026

Bombing, destruction, economy collapsing; this is the news we are watching daily in media since 28^th Feb 2026. Today, I read a post at Linkdn suggesting the power of Reimagining and Reinventing. While we take such suggestion to the present-day US-Israel Vs Iran conflict, we can actually position India in a place of strength and respect, even in the present gloomy state of affairs. This status can be achieved by positioning the country as a facilitator and negotiator between the warring parties. How India is poised for such a status? There are a few parameters indicating that India must make a professional attempt towards solving this mayhem and display that it can raise above vested interests and provide a true leadership to the world.

Factors favouring India:

• India stands as 4^th largest military power in the world after US, China and Russia.
• India stands as 4^th largest economy in the world after US, China and Germany.
• US is a party and China & Russia are supporting Iran; this leaves India the number 4 power as the only big force to come up and show its might to negotiate.
• Most gulf countries are at receiving end in this war and may not be accepted as a mediator in this conflict.
• India shares a legacy of civilisation with Iran. India had a few very ambitious projects with Iran viz gas pipeline, Chabahar port etc (though not running at present).
• India has just concluded a trade deal with US, largely to the satisfaction of US.  
• India has already displayed its ability as a mediator in various other conflicts including facilitating end of Saudi Arabia’s 70-year ban on using its airspace for flights to Israel in 2018.

All this makes India a favourite for US/Israel as well as Iran to accept India’s offer to act as negotiator.

Factors against India:

• PM Modi has visited Israel just on the eve of attack on Iran and committed support to Israel in all broad day light. Due to this, Iran may hesitate accepting India as an unbiased negotiator.
• Back home, a vast majority of ruling party voters may like India taking sides with Israel and US rather than acting as negotiator.
• China is a supporter of Iran in this war and it may well suggest Iran, not to accept India as a negotiator.

Way forward:

• PM’s office must take initiative and form an independent professional team of negotiators who are well versed with the international affairs and are having an acceptable persona internationally.
• This team must approach top decision makers in all 3 major parties to conflict viz US, Israel and Iran and offer their mediation by inviting them to New Delhi.
• The team should remain unbiased and neutral in their approach and give confidence to all concerned that they are serious and capable of setting things right.

If India can take this bold step and is able to convince the nations in dispute, it will benefit the country immensely. This can take India to a different level and world will look towards it as a solution provider rather than a country who struggles with neighbours like Pakistan. In past also India has mediated in many world conflicts and remain a part of UN sponsored teams. However, this resolution will be bigger than the earlier attempts as world was never in such a trouble as it is now. India needs to show its strength and grab this opportunity before a European nation takes this. If US can claim settling India Pakistan battle in 2025, India can actually claim settling US Iran war in 2026. In future also this region may continue to face troubles between Israel and other gulf nations and in that scenario, India will become the place of discussion table rather than Qatar, Oman or Switzerland. A nation who aspires to be the Vishwaguru (the teacher of the world) has to begin acting like one, through peace and balance and not through war or by taking sides.

Comments are invited for more suggestions to place India in a leadership role by resolving conflicts.

The author is a Management Professional, ex Banker, educator and content creator