Dealing with the wars on the western frontier

India has friendly relations — of varying depth —with most parties involved in these conflicts. New Delhi should be cautious while responding to them

- Happymon Jacob

India has maintained careful ties with Iran despite US pressure.

(VIA REUTERS)

Onthemorning of February 28, India woke up to two raging wars on the western frontier. Pakistan and Afghanistan are in an open war along the Durand Line, with Pakistani jets striking Kabul and the Taliban launching retaliatory operations across the border. Further to the west, USand Israeli warplanes were conducting what Washington is calling “major combat operations” against Iran, withair strikes across Tehran and other cities. Tehran has confirmed that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khame-nei was killed in the US-Israeli strikes on Saturday.

India has friendly relations —of varying depth —with most parties to these conflicts except, of course, Pakistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned from Israel justa few daysago, having stated in the Israeli Knesset that India stands with Israel “with full conviction”. India hasalso maintained careful ties with Iran despite consistent ‘American pressure. Delhi's relationship with Washington has been strained over the past year, butit remains vital. Iran’s neighbours that itis targeting today are also India’s friendsand partners.

Closer home, India’s relations with the Taliban have dramatically improved since 2021. And Pakistan, despite all its inherent hostility, remains the neigh-bour India must eventually finda non-escalatory equilibrium with. New Delhi would not want either of these wars to lead to a larger regional spillover, humanitarian or kinetic. In short, this is what New Delhi has on its hands now: two raging wars, one long frontier, and no good options to choose from.

Ona positive note, however, despite the mutual defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, neither Pakistan turned up to defend the Saudis nor the Saudis turned up to support Pakistan against the Taliban. But that was expected.