The Missing Compass?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Cyprus is likely to be perceived as a sign of India's proximity with its regional rivals by Turkey

- DIPANKAR DEY

The Israel-Iran war began on June 13, when Israel targeted Iranian military and nuclear sites, reportedly killing 78 people, including three senior security officials, the country's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Shamkhani, and causing damage to the Natanz nuclear facility. In response, Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones early Saturday, resulting in at least three fatalities and injuring dozens more. The next day, in a strongly worded statement, the 10-member Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), of which India and Iran are also members, said member states had expressed concern and strongly condemned the Israeli strikes on Iran, characterizing them as violations of international law and the UN Charter. However, underscoring its own unwillingness to criticize Israel, India issued a separate statement almost concurrently, clarifying that it was not part of the SCO's decision-making on this matter. The current Indian government is a major ally of Israel and last week India abstained from voting during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza, abandoning India's principled stand against war, against genocide, and for justice. 149 countries voted for the UNGA resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza, while India abstained. As of June 14, Gaza's death toll nears 55,300 as Israel continues its brutal war on Palestinians. Over 128,400 Palestinians have also been injured in the assault since October 2023.