New Delhi, Apr 2 (PTI) Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma on Thursday hailed India’s diplomatic handling of the West Asia crisis as “mature and skilful”, saying it has helped the country avoid “potential minefields”.

He also urged India to take the lead in mobilising the Global South and strategic-partner countries to collectively work towards the restoration of peace and order in the region.

Lauding the efforts taken so far by New Delhi, Sharma said, “Indian diplomatic handling of the crisis has been mature and skilful, avoiding potential minefields.” “India’s response must be backed by a national consensus and resolve. Government has held an all-party meeting to apprise the leadership of political parties of the situation and policy decisions in an unpredictable and volatile situation.

“This national dialogue should be sustained. National unity and a mature response guided by national interest is the need of the hour,” the Congress leader said in a statement.

Sharma has handled the commerce and external affairs ministries during the UPA regime.

“The world cannot remain a mute spectator to the collapse of rule based multilateral order and global crisis management mechanism. India has throughout history commanded respect for its moral authority and commitment to peace. There is much at stake, especially the future of the younger generation.

“India must endeavour to mobilise the global south and strategic partner countries to collectively work for restoration of peace and order,” he said.

Sharma said the situation in West Asia, following the “unjustified” US-Israel attack on Iran and the latter’s retaliatory response, has resulted in a global upheaval and economic disruption of grave enormity.

India and all the other countries dependent on the import of crude petroleum, LPG and natural gas from the Middle East and Gulf countries and supplies through the Strait of Hormuz face an unprecedented challenge, the Congress leader noted.

“We are today confronted with one of the worst energy crisis in history,” he said.

The challenging situation, he said, tests both policy and diplomacy in shaping “our national strategic response”.

“India has historic relations with Gulf countries and civilisational relationship with Persia-Iran. Besides critical energy supplies of petroleum, LPG-PNG, USD 200 billion of trade, the interest and security of 10 million strong Indian diaspora, also almost 60 per cent FOREX remittances, have to be borne in mind,” Sharma said.

Observing that the war has aggravated the energy, economic and global-security challenges, he said disruptions in global supply chains, tremors in world markets and a sharp depreciation of the rupee present an immediate and long-term challenge that needs to be urgently tackled.

He stressed that the enormity of the crisis must be fully registered. PTI SKC RC