The sudden ‘pause’ in the West Asia conflict offers a much-needed, though uncertain, reprieve amid the prolonged U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran (Front page, March 24). The aimless military aggression has also inflicted widespread devastation in the Gulf region. There has also been a frequent shifting of goalposts by the United States. With the unilateral announcement of an abrupt pause, it is still hazy whether Israel and the U.S. are on the same page. Further, given the veracity of Mr. Trump’s assurances earlier, it remains to be seen whether the ‘peace rhetoric’ that he has chosen can yield tangible results in cessation of war. Perhaps India can leverage its core diplomatic strengths — its bonhomie with Israel and friendly bilateral relations with Iran and the Gulf nations — in forging a durable peace in the region.
