U.S. Foreign Policy: Emphasizing Core Principles as a Pragmatic Approach

India's Position on the West Asia Crisis

Overview

The ongoing war in West Asia has sparked a debate in India regarding its stance, with some advocating for moral grandstanding and others promoting strategic silence. However, a closer examination of the situation reveals that India must speak out against the war.

Moral Considerations

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From a moral standpoint, India's silence during the Soviet invasions of Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Afghanistan in the 1950s and 1960s is not a valid comparison to the current situation. The US-Israel war on Iran is not justified by any ideological doctrine, and both countries have a history of human rights violations. Israel's recent actions in Gaza are a prime example of its disregard for human rights and international law.

Rules-Based International Order

The world has moved beyond the Cold War era, and the current rules-based international order demands a more nuanced response. Citing the Cold War era as a justification for India's silence is a global cultural anachronism and whataboutery of a myopic kind.

Pragmatic Considerations

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Even pragmatism demands that India oppose this war. The most decisive yardstick of pragmatism is whether this war is harming India's interests. The answer is yes. As the third-largest importer of fuels from the Gulf and West Asian region, any war in the area affects India more than any other country. Moreover, the largest share of foreign remittances that support the Indian economy comes from Indian expatriates in the affected region.

Economic Consequences

If the war stretches beyond a month, India's economy would plunge to depths where it might take years to recover. This is a strong enough pragmatic reason for India to raise its voice against this war.

Trigger for the War

The war was completely unnecessary and avoidable, as Iran had agreed to major demands on its nuclear program.

Conclusion

India's position on the West Asia crisis is not a matter of moral grandstanding or strategic silence. The country must speak out against this war to safeguard its own interests and uphold its commitment to a rules-based international order.