Jaishankar elaborated that meaningful third‑party mediation cannot take place without the readiness of directly engaged nations. “It’s very unrealistic for someone outside to insert themselves… if they are not prepared for it,” he said, stressing that the dynamics need to be resolved between the parties themselves. His remarks came alongside subtle allusions to former US President Donald Trump’s claims of brokering peace between India and Pakistan—claims which India has dismissed by attributing de‑escalation to military‑to‑military engagement.
Beyond remarking on the Israel‑Iran situation, Jaishankar underscored a broader diplomatic principle: external players should act only when their assistance is solicited. He said the principal question lies in “whether… a country like India… can be of particular help,” but qualified that such help can materialise only if the conflicting nations evolve their own dynamics.
Amid intensifying Israel‑Iran tensions, he has also engaged in diplomatic outreach. Communications with both counterparts in Jerusalem and Tehran indicate India’s intent to maintain a careful, balanced approach while following developments closely. On Friday, he confirmed he had spoken by telephone both with Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, reflecting New Delhi’s concern and real‑time monitoring of the situation.
This stance comes as Israel has initiated what it terms Operation Rising Lion, targeting nuclear and missile sites across Iran, with Iranian responses signalling the potential for broader confrontation. India’s diplomatic posture, therefore, involves consistent communication with both sides while urging restraint and dialogue.
Analysts point out that India’s insistence on the primacy of direct engagement aligns with its wider foreign‑policy approach. This includes steering clear of ad hoc mediation without formal requests and prioritising dialogue channels already established—whether bilateral or multilateral. For example, India has emphasised direct military‑to‑military communication with Pakistan, resisting suggestions of external facilitation as asserted by figures such as Trump.
Observers in Delhi remark that Jaishankar’s comments uphold a classic non‑interventionist diplomatic ethos, further cementing India’s preference for sovereign resolution of disputes. They interpret his remarks as both a reaffirmation of longstanding policy and a message to global actors that unsolicited mediation risks being unproductive unless invited.