Caught In the muddle

India faces an unprecedented diplomatic challenge as it tries to balance its ties with the US and Iran following the assassination of Qassem Soleimani

- MANDIRA NAYAR

FOR DIPLOMATS ACROSS the world, the year 2020 has begun on an ominous note. The assassination of General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, by the US has the potential to push the Middle East into yet another long-drawn conflict. Iran’s swift response—hitting US bases in Iraq with ballistic missiles— shows that it is unlikely to back off in the face of American aggression. But Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif hinted at de-escalation as he called the missile strikes an act of self-defence. “We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression,’ tweeted Zarif.

The US, too, seems to be eyeing de-escalation. In his formal response to the Iranian missile strikes, US President Donald Trump said he wanted to work with Iran in promoting peace in the Middle East. But he was sharply critical of Iran’s nuclear programme and threatened further sanctions against the country’s leadership. The immediate threat of an all-out war, however, seems to have dissipated following Trump’s speech.