Amid the ongoing war in West Asia, there has been sustained commentary on a perceived shift in India’s foreign policy. Experts and political leaders have taken strong positions on issues concerning India and its external environment. Criticism has intensified largely because the Government of India has remained silent, leading some observers to argue that India appears to be siding with the party that initiated the conflict.

Foreign policy refers to a well-formulated set of long-term goals pursued proactively by a state. In contrast, foreign affairs involve short-term and often personal and transactional relationships. The foreign policy is institutional and not personal. India’s current approach to developments in West Asia shows signs of short-sightedness. The ongoing war directly affects India, yet its response has been restrained. Historically, India exercised significant influence in global geopolitics by adopting a morally balanced position. The current conflict involving Iran has seriously dented India’s image in the Global South.

Indian foreign policy had three distinct features. First, there was an attempt to strengthen the policy of multi-alignment in order to advance India’s national interests. Second, the government sought to reshape global perceptions of India as a rising major power. Third, it aimed to provide a stronger regional thrust to Indian foreign policy. However, in the context of the West Asian conflict, all three elements appear to have lost their salience. It is true that non-alignment as a policy instrument for India never meant neutrality. Even earlier, India occasionally took sides on certain regional issues. For example, India’s reluctance to criticise the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan became a matter of strategic concern and, for many years, acted as a constraint on its neighbourhood policy. Today, India’s silence on Iran and its failure to condemn the assassination of Iranian leadership have raised troubling questions.

Earlier, in June 2025, when Israel attacked Iran, India distanced itself from a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation statement that........

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