India remains one of the few countries able to engage with all sides involved in the West Asia conflict, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said while defending the government’s diplomatic strategy. He emphasized that India’s leadership has maintained communication with leaders of the United States, Israel, Iran and Gulf nations, demonstrating its balanced approach amid rising tensions.

Rijiju pointed to the safe passage of Indian ships through the Strait of Hormuz as evidence of the country’s stable position. He added that India has preserved stability through several global crises over the past decade, including the coronavirus pandemic, the Russia and Ukraine war, the Gaza conflict and ongoing tensions in West Asia.

He described a recent all party meeting on the West Asia situation as productive, noting that opposition concerns were addressed and that parties expressed support for the government during the critical period. Rijiju also rejected claims of a delayed response to the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, stating that India’s foreign secretary visited as soon as the condolence book was opened.