New Delhi, April 2 Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma hailed India's handling of the West Asia crisis as "mature and skillful" on Thursday, saying it has helped the country avoid "potential pitfalls."
He also urged India to take the lead in mobilizing countries in the Global South and strategic partners to collectively work towards restoring peace and order in the region.
Praising the efforts taken so far by New Delhi, Sharma said, "India's handling of the crisis has been mature and skillful, avoiding potential pitfalls."
"India's response must be backed by a national consensus and resolve. The government has held an all-party meeting to inform the leaders of political parties about the situation and policy decisions in a volatile and unpredictable situation."
"This national dialogue should be sustained. National unity and a mature response guided by national interest are essential," the Congress leader said in a statement.
Sharma has served as the Minister of Commerce and External Affairs during the UPA regime.
"The world cannot remain a passive observer to the collapse of the rule-based multilateral order and global crisis management mechanism. India has historically commanded respect for its moral authority and commitment to peace. There is much at stake, especially the future of the younger generation."
"India must strive to mobilize countries in the Global South and strategic partners to collectively work for the restoration of peace and order," he said.
Sharma said the situation in West Asia, following the "unjustified" US-Israel attack on Iran and the latter's retaliatory response, has resulted in a global upheaval and economic disruption of grave proportions.
India and all other countries that rely on importing crude petroleum, LPG, and natural gas from the Middle East and Gulf countries, as well as supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, face an unprecedented challenge, the Congress leader noted.
"We are today confronted with one of the worst energy crises in history," he said.
The challenging situation, he said, tests both policy and diplomacy in shaping "our national strategic response."
"India has historic relations with Gulf countries and a civilizational relationship with Persia-Iran. Besides critical energy supplies of petroleum, LPG-PNG, trade of USD 200 billion, the interests and security of 10 million strong Indian diaspora, and almost 60 per cent FOREX remittances, must also be taken into account," Sharma said.
Observing that the conflict has aggravated the energy, economic, and global-security challenges, he said disruptions in global supply chains, tremors in world markets, and a sharp depreciation of the rupee present an immediate and long-term challenge that needs to be urgently addressed.
He stressed that the enormity of the crisis must be fully recognized.
