NEW DELHI — Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has called on the Indian government to transition from its “cautious stand” to an active mediator role in the escalating conflict between the US-Israel alliance and Iran. Speaking to PTI on March 19, 2026, the former diplomat warned that the war is no longer a distant geopolitical issue but a direct threat to the Indian kitchen.
The “Chai and Haleem” Crisis
Tharoor highlighted the immediate domestic impact of the West Asian conflict:
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Energy Shortages: He noted that a shortage of LPG cylinders is already forcing dhabas to close and affecting traditional slow-cooking dishes like Hyderabad’s haleem.
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Economic Stakes: With 9 million citizens in the Gulf and a heavy reliance on LNG/LPG imports, Tharoor warned that if the war continues for another 4–6 weeks, the consequences for the “average Indian household” will be severe.
Critique of “Silent” Diplomacy
While acknowledging the need for caution, Tharoor critiqued the government’s lack of a formal gesture following the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on February 28:
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Condolences: He argued that India should have offered public condolences to a friendly nation, drawing a parallel to the state mourning observed after President Ebrahim Raisi’s death in 2024.
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The “Ladder” to Peace: Tharoor suggested that with President Donald Trump stating he is “running out of targets” and Iran’s leadership being dismantled layer by layer, both sides need a “ladder to climb down.”
The Call for Leadership
Tharoor asserted that India—as a non-party to the conflict with strong ties to both sides—should be at the forefront of a neutral group of nations calling for an immediate ceasefire. This follows a period of intense political friction, where the Congress party staged walkouts in Parliament, labeling External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s recent statements on the region as “vapid.”
As the conflict enters its fourth week, the pressure is mounting on New Delhi to balance its strategic partnership with the US and Israel against its vital energy and diaspora interests in Iran and the wider Gulf.
