Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju slammed the opposition claims that India has become a “bystander” in the escalating West Asia crisis. Responding to allegations that smaller neighbours like Pakistan have taken a more central role in the tensions between Israel-US and Iran, the Minister stated that India’s unique ability to communicate with all warring factions—from Washington to Tehran—proves its standing as a global stabiliser.
Rijiju said this while addressing the questions of Navika Kumar, Group Editor-in-Chief, Times Now & Times Now Navbharat, during the special session ‘Opposition Stood With Govt’ All-Party Meet Productive Amid Crisis’ on Day-1 of Times Now Summit 2026 on Thursday in Delhi.
Addressing the charge that India has failed to engage both warring sides, Rijiju pointed to the safe passage of Indian vessels through high-risk zones like the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest oil shipping channels. About 20 per cent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) usually passes through the strait. However, since the war broke out between US-Israel and Iran, the latter has blocked the passage, due to which global fuel prices have been rising.
“If our ships are passing through the Strait of Hormuz, some ships have already passed through, and the rest are likely to be very soon. If it has happened, how did it happen? If India has not maintained a good relationship with Iran or the other Gulf countries, how did all these ships pass through? That shows the position of India,” Rijiju claimed.
Related News |
The Parliamentary Affairs Minister emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains one of the few world leaders capable of holding simultaneous, high-level dialogues with US President Joe Biden, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Iranian leadership.
“India is one of the few countries that could speak to all parties. Our Prime Minister had a call from the US President. Our Prime Minister spoke to the Israeli Prime Minister. Our Prime Minister spoke to the Iranian President. Our Prime Minister spoke to all the heads of government of the Gulf countries repeatedly, not one round, second round beyond. There are very few leaders in the world who could do that. That is Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Rijiju said.
“So, as I said, if I say beyond those entire things, it will amount to a policy statement which I don’t want to make because the situation is quite critical and very dynamic. So, I will not comment on the policy matter, but I can say that despite this crisis, India can make itself ready for any situation because of the visionary, decisive leadership we have…,” he added.
He further stated, “In the past 11 and a half years, 6 years were almost in conflict. So, never before has any government in India faced this kind of critical situation that we are facing. COVID, the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the crisis in West Asia, Israel, Gaza and then West Asia, Iran, Israel and the US. So, the situation that we are witnessing one after another is very challenging, despite that how large countries like India, which is so dependent for its energy resources from elsewhere, could handle the situation so well, and our economy is doing extremely well. What does it mean?”
“So, politically one may criticize but on the ground, India today is sitting in a very comfortable situation despite a challenging atmosphere. It is because of a decisive, mature leadership that we have in India and very prudent management of the economy. So, all this has made India a very stable, and trusted and respected country today,” the Minister said.
The Minister also addressed specific criticisms regarding India’s perceived delay in condoling the death of the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the opposition had characterised the five-day gap before a formal condolence as a diplomatic “omission” that soured ties with Tehran.
Related News |
Rijiju clarified the timeline, stating the response was dictated by protocol rather than hesitation.
“One point, very specific on the issue of our condolence, the External Affairs Minister had very specifically mentioned, it is not the fifth day. The opposition leaders are saying that the condolence message was signed on the fifth day. So, he made it clear that it is not the fifth day; it is the first day when the condolence book was opened in the Iranian embassy. So, the foreign secretary had gone on the first day when the book was opened. So technically, it is not late. It is the timetable of the embassy that they conduct their schedules. But the foreign secretary went on the first day when the condolence book was opened for the condolence message,” the Union Minister answered.
Kiran Rijiju at Times Now Summit: ‘Opposition Stood With Govt’ All-Party Meet Productive Amid Crisis
About The Summit
The Times Now Summit 2026 stands as one of India’s most influential platforms for leadership, ideas, and action. Bringing together top policymakers, global strategists, industry leaders, and changemakers, the summit serves as a space to shape the country’s future trajectory. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Times Now @20 & Shaping India @100,” reflects both a moment of reflection and a forward-looking vision as India approaches its centenary of independence. Over the past two decades, Times Now has played a key role in driving accountability and shaping national discourse, and the summit builds on that legacy by focusing on actionable ideas to accelerate India’s journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat and a leading voice in the Global South.
