Iran war: Russia backs India as mediator amid questions over Pak credibility
Russia suggested India as a potential long-term mediator between Iran and the US. The pitch came amid growing questions over Pakistan's credibility in facilitating a second round of peace talks.
At a time when questions have been raised on the credibility of Pakistan in facilitating peace talks between Iran and the US, Russia pitched for India as a potential long-term mediator in the conflict. Addressing a media briefing after the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in Delhi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasised that India's vast diplomatic experience could also be used to bridge the gap between Iran and its "Arab friends".
"Pakistan is helping establish dialogues between the US and Iran to resolve urgent problems. If they seek a long-term mediator, this role could be played by India, considering its vast diplomatic experience," Lavrov said.
US-IRAN WAR AND PAKISTAN ROLE
The remark comes at a time when Pakistan's role as a supposedly neutral mediator in the US-Iran war has shown cracks.
Questions have also been raised about Pakistan possibly playing a double game after it quietly allowed Iranian military aircraft to park at its Nur Khan air base, possibly shielding them from American airstrikes.
Moreover, Pakistan has also opened six overland transit routes to Iran to help Tehran move emergency cargo and bypass the US-led naval blockade of Iranian ports.
All of this has led to major distrust in the US administration. Earlier this week, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham questioned whether Pakistan could be trusted as a mediator.
"I don't trust Pakistan as far as I can throw them... If they actually do have Iranian aircraft parked in Pakistan bases, that tells me we should be looking maybe for somebody else to mediate," Graham said.
While Islamabad hosted the first round of talks in April after the US and Iran agreed to a ceasefire, it has failed to bring the two sides to the negotiating table again. US President Donald Trump has rejected Iran's latest peace proposal and recently stressed that the Pakistan-brokered ceasefire was on "life support".
At his briefing, Lavrov underscored the importance of long-term stability in the region, a key energy hub.
He said that India, as the current BRICS chair and having direct interests in regional stability, could help bring key stakeholders together for talks.
"India is directly interested in receiving oil from this region. Why won't they offer their services? They could invite Iran, the United Arab Emirates, to start with, to have a conversation with each other to agree on how they can avoid any hostilities between the two countries," Lavrov said.