India should lead Global South to de-escalate West Asia crisis, says Anand Sharma

Former Union Minister and Congress leader Anand Sharma on Thursday (April 2, 2026) appreciated India’s diplomatic and skilful handling of the West Asia crisis and urged it to be the leader of the Global South in de-escalating the hostilities in the region.

In a statement, Mr. Sharma said the international community could not remain a “mute spectator” to the collapse of the rules-based multilateral order and global crisis-management mechanisms.

“Indian diplomatic handling of the crisis has been mature and skilful, avoiding potential minefields,” he said.

India, he said, had historically commanded respect for its moral authority and commitment to peace and must use that standing to bring countries together.

“India must endeavour to mobilise the Global South and strategic partner countries to collectively work for restoration of peace and order,” he said.

Economic disruption

Describing the situation in West Asia as a major global upheaval following what he termed the “unjustified” attack by the United States and Israel on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory response, Mr. Sharma said the conflict had triggered severe economic disruption and heightened global uncertainty.

He warned that countries dependent on crude oil, LPG and natural gas supplies from West Asia — particularly through the Strait of Hormuz — faced an unprecedented challenge.

 “We are today confronted with one of the worst energy crises in history,” he said.

The crisis tested both India’s policy and diplomatic capabilities in shaping an effective strategic response.

Mr. Sharma said India’s longstanding ties with Gulf countries and its civilisational links with Iran, along with energy dependence, trade worth about $200 billion, and the interests of nearly 10 million Indians living in the region, required careful consideration. Remittances from the region account for nearly 60% of India’s foreign exchange inflows, he added.

Calling for political consensus, Mr. Sharma said the government’s decision to convene an all-party meeting to brief political leaders on the evolving situation was a positive step. “This national dialogue should be sustained. National unity and a mature response guided by national interest is the need of the hour,” he said.

He cautioned that the conflict had aggravated global energy, economic and security challenges, with disruptions in supply chains, volatility in global markets and a sharp depreciation of the rupee posing both immediate and long-term concerns.