The Aryavarth Express:
New Delhi: Congress MP Manish Tewari on Monday warned that rising geopolitical tensions across multiple regions could collectively escalate into a global conflict, drawing parallels with the circumstances that led to the two World Wars.
In a post on X, Tewari described the current international environment as “a world adrift,” cautioning that a series of smaller regional conflicts could eventually spiral into a large-scale war.
“Small wars put together have the potential of becoming world wars. That is how World War I and World War II became global conflicts,” Tewari wrote.
He pointed to several ongoing global flashpoints, including tensions in the Taiwan Strait, the conflict in West Asia, the Afghanistan–Pakistan situation, stand-offs between India and Pakistan, and India and China. He also referred to disputes between Thailand and Cambodia, tensions in the South China Sea, and the presence of a nuclear-armed and unpredictable North Korea as factors contributing to an increasingly unstable global order.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed Parliament on Monday regarding the deteriorating situation in West Asia. Delivering a statement in the Lok Sabha amid opposition sloganeering, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is closely monitoring developments and that government ministries are coordinating responses to the crisis.
The conflict intensified on February 28 following joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, which reportedly resulted in the death of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with several senior members of the ruling establishment. Since then, the situation has escalated further, with attacks reported on oil depots and water desalination facilities over the weekend.
Jaishankar said the Indian government had earlier expressed concern over the growing instability in the region. He noted that on February 20, India issued a statement urging all parties to exercise restraint.
“We continue to believe that dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions in the region,” the minister said.
He informed Parliament that the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Modi, has been actively monitoring the situation, particularly in view of the regional conflict and the challenges faced by Indian nationals and travellers in the affected areas.
Jaishankar added that ministers have been directed to take necessary measures to address the evolving situation. He also observed that the geopolitical environment has deteriorated significantly, with the conflict spreading to other parts of the region.
Despite disruptions in the House, the External Affairs Minister reiterated that India supports peaceful resolution efforts and believes that dialogue and diplomacy remain the most effective path to de-escalation.
Meanwhile, opposition members continued to demand a comprehensive discussion in Parliament under Rule 176, raising concerns over energy security and the safety of the Indian diaspora in West Asia.
