Overview
- Anand Sharma, a senior Congress leader, praised India’s handling of the West Asia war on Thursday as “mature and skilful” and asked the government to keep up all‑party briefings to build national consensus.
- He said turning the crisis into a partisan fight would be a “national disservice” and added that Indian diplomats have worked effectively, with the diaspora reported safe and shipping routes to India kept moving.
- Sharma urged New Delhi to rally the Global South and key partners to push de‑escalation and restore order, pointing to India’s standing and relationships across the region.
- He warned of severe energy and economic risks for India due to Gulf supply shocks and chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz, citing about $200 billion in regional trade, nearly 10 million Indians in West Asia, and remittances he said make up close to 60% of foreign‑exchange inflows.
- His stance deepened visible divisions in Congress, with Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera criticizing the government as Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tewari voiced support earlier and Kamal Nath dismissed talk of an LPG shortage.