(This text is a part of the View From India publication curated by The Hindu’s international affairs consultants. To get the publication in your inbox each Monday, subscribe right here.)
Over 8 million folks are estimated to have gathered in protest, on the ‘No Kings’ rallies held throughout the United States and in over a dozen different international locations, in opposition to the Trump administration. American commentators level to a notable departure within the third ‘No Kings’ protest, the place a majority — over 70 % — cited peace and anti-war positions as motive for his or her participation. View the protest pictures right here for an thought of how opposition to Mr. Trump is gaining momentum inside the U.S.
However historical past has repeatedly proven us that tyrants and bullies are seldom good listeners. That’s additionally maybe why Mr. Trump finds himself trapped in a struggle he can’t maintain. After miscalculating Iran’s potential to reply, he’s unable to search out the exit route he desperately needs. Mr. Trump can be unable to rein in Israel, which is decided to stick with the continued struggle on Iran, regardless of Iran decidedly standing as much as the 2 powers. Amid stories of the Pentagon getting ready for weeks of floor operations in Iran, the specter of a chronic struggle continues, whilst the remainder of the world struggles to deal with its impression, particularly with delivery visitors within the Strait of Hormuz — by means of which 20 % of the world’s crude oil and liquefied pure gasoline passes day-after-day — being dropped at a near-standstill.
Talking to Stanly Johny, Trita Parsi, co-founder and govt vice chairman of the Quincy Institute, tells us why this struggle is unsustainable, no matter what the U.S. or Israel may consider. A month because the U.S. and Israel launched their struggle on Iran, President Trump doesn’t have any straightforward exit choices, he says, including that Israel and the U.S. have totally different goals within the struggle. If the U.S. launches a floor offensive in Iran, it could be tougher for Mr. Trump to declare victory and exit, he famous. Opposite to Mr. Trump’s frequent claims, “the USA is just not profitable the struggle,” Mr. Parsi asserts. Learn the total interview right here
You may as well watch the dialog right here
One month of Israel-U.S. struggle on Iran – our desk compiled a timeline from February 28, 2026, to March 28, 2026. Take a look to grasp how the battle, which started with joint Israel-U.S. strikes on February 28, unfold all through West Asia and despatched ripples by means of the worldwide economic system.
Mediating between warring sides
India’s Overseas Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar addresses the eightieth United Nations Normal Meeting (UNGA), on the U.N. headquarters in New York Metropolis, U.S., September 27, 2025.
| Photograph Credit score:
REUTERS
As world headlines spotlighted Pakistan as a mediator between the 2 warring sides, India was fast to dismiss Pakistan’s function. Parrying the questions raised by the Opposition relating to the reported central function performed by Pakistan in mediating between the U.S. and Iran, Exterior Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar termed the neighbouring nation a “dalal” or dealer, usually utilized in a derogatory method, Sobhana Ok. Nair and Suhasini Haidar report. Additional, responding to criticism over India’s “silence”, Mr. Jaishankar asserted that with practically one crore Indians dwelling in West Asian international locations, it was essential for India’s strategic and financial pursuits to preserve a balanced place. Whether or not in Gaza within the case of Iran, the place there’s little ambiguity over who the aggressor is, “steadiness” or “neutrality” seem woefully weak selections, particularly for a rustic that instructions consideration on the worldwide stage.
Nevertheless, Washington’s resolution to interact Pakistan as a facilitator for talks may additionally be rooted in historical past, given Islamabad, and a unique Normal’s function in facilitating U.S. talks with China 55 years in the past, on the top of the Chilly Warfare, writes Suhasini Haidar on this flashback piece. At the moment, U.S. President Richard Nixon had begun to work on his plan to open up relations with Beijing (U.S. nonetheless formally recognised Taiwan because the Republic of China (ROC)), however direct Sino-U.S. Ambassadorial talks had floundered. Pakistan was not the primary possibility, as he and his Nationwide Safety Advisor Henry Kissinger thought of others, together with Poland, France and Romania.
In the meantime, following The New York Instances’s latest report on U.S. businessman Elon Musk being current throughout a name between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump, India mentioned that the dialog was solely between the 2 leaders. Nevertheless, the federal government didn’t deny or affirm Mr. Musk’s presence in the course of the name, through which the 2 leaders mentioned the West Asia battle, stories Suhasini Haidar. New Delhi’s response didn’t reply the various questions which have risen since, resembling why Mr. Musk was current whereas the 2 leaders have been talking, presumably on the Iran struggle; whether or not India knew of and was snug together with his presence, and what affect that leaves India with.
Watch: Warfare in West Asia: Is India’s vitality diplomacy holding up? Suhasini Haidar examines the place New Delhi stands, in the newest episode of Worldview
High 5 tales we’re studying this week
1. Mohammad Bagher Zolqadr | Ascent of the Guardsman – Stanly Johny writes on the rise of the previous IRGC commander because the Secretary of Iran’s Nationwide Safety Council, that suggests the Guards are tightening their grip on Iran’s state equipment
2. Situating Nepal’s present political second within the lengthy historical past of feudalism to republican democracy – by Srinivasan Ramani
3. The Hindu editorial on India-Nepal ties within the new context
4. Writing on world affairs from the International South – Srinivasan Ramani urges editorial writers relying on the West for stories to critically reject their imperial body of reference
5. G. Sampath profiles Pedro Sanchez, Europe’s solely anti-war Prime Minister
Printed – March 30, 2026 02:08 pm IST