In this episode of Editorial, Mr. Sujit Nair discusses the Israel-Iran conflict. He explores the war from India’s perspective—whose side would India pick? Both Iran and Israel share strong relations with India, making the situation complex.
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[00:00:00] Namaskar. Welcome to another episode of Editorial. You know this year 2025 doesn't look good for the world. War, accidents, come to think of it from India, Indian perspective. We had a war with Pakistan quite recently. A plane crashed taking 300 lives, 300 plus lives.
[00:00:32] Ukraine attacked Russia and Russia is bound to respond to that and possibly much, much more intensely than what Ukraine did to Russia. And now Israel on 13th of June attacks Iran and Iran responded by sending around 100 plus drones into Israel.
[00:01:01] So the atmosphere all around is quite scary. It's quite scary. Let's talk about the Israel-Iran conflict. And most importantly, let us talk about our role and what happens to India, which is what I am interested in. What happens to India?
[00:01:24] That's the editor. Let's get right into the show. Now, first of all, let us understand why did Israel attack Iran? So let us understand it from Mr. Netanyahu's point of view first and what his government said. And then let us put in our own views. Just have a...
[00:01:52] Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat. For decades, the tyrants of Tehran have brazenly, openly called for Israel's destruction.
[00:02:16] They've backed up their genocidal rhetoric with a program to develop nuclear weapons. In recent years, Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs. Nine. So, according to Netanyahu and according to his government, they say that they are very sure that Iran is getting ready to be a nuclear power.
[00:02:44] Iran is getting nuclear bombs made. So, before they do anything of this sort, Israel wants to ensure that they stop this. And Iran wants to ensure that Iran is going to be a nuclear nuclear development in Iran. This is what Israel says. Now, mind you, is Iran doing anything of this sort? Is Iran creating nuclear weapons? One doesn't know.
[00:03:12] Because I remember, I remember this was the same narrative that was spoken when Saddam Hussein was alive in Iraq and this is what America said. That Saddam Hussein is creating nuclear stroke chemical weapons. So, they were, they bombed and they completely, completely destroyed Iraq. And then they figured out that there was no nuclear weapon. This has happened before. Now, does that mean that Iran doesn't have a nuclear weapon? I don't know. I don't know.
[00:03:42] But, I find this entire thing very strange. Now, had Israel attacked Iran purely because Iran funds Houthi, Iran funds Hamas, Iran funds Hezbollah, if they were attacking Iran, if they were attacking Iran and trying to ensure that these fundings and like our Prime Minister had said that, you know, he would, you know, finish off all the people who backed terrorism.
[00:04:12] If Israel was attacking Iran to ensure that they stop backing terrorist organizations like Houthi and Hezbollah and Hamas, then I could understand. But, Israel is going beyond that. And I will tell you what is the confusion here. I will tell you what is the, is one story that we should, we should kind of look at.
[00:04:35] You see, America has been very clear and America has been constantly asking Iran to stop its nuclear program. To put an end to its nuclear program because America is very sure that Iran's nuclear program is not to create, generate electricity or power or whatever. It is to create bombs. America is very clear.
[00:04:58] So, America has been absolutely, absolutely coercing Iran in all forms by, by sanctions and all forms to ensure that Iran stops their nuclear program. China, that is one.
[00:05:44] China, which will make things very clear. He says, I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal, deal money to stop the nuclear program. I told them in the strongest of words to just do it. But no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldn't get it done.
[00:06:07] I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated or were told. That the United States makes the best and the most lethal military equipments anywhere in the world, by far. And that Israel has a lot of it. They have a lot of it. Which, with much more to come. And they know how to use it.
[00:06:34] Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they don't know what was about to happen. They are all dead now. And it will only get worse. There has already been great deaths and destruction. But there is still time to make the slaughter, with the next already planned attack being even more brutal. Come to an end.
[00:07:01] Iran must make a deal before there is nothing left. And save what once known as Iranian empire. No more deaths, no more destruction. Just do it. Before it is too late. God bless you all. This is an outright threat by America. Okay. Let's go. Now, America says that, Baba re, I threatened.
[00:07:31] I threatened Iran. And I continue to threaten Iran. I will even use Israel's name wherever needed. But this attack that happened on 13th of June, I have got nothing to do with it. That Israel did on their own. I have nothing to do with it. But, I still say, I continue to provide weapons. And I continue to tell you, Israel, very dangerous fellow. Very dangerous people. They will come and they will finish you off. I mean, the words that he used,
[00:07:59] is almost that of what, you know, those bhai's in the, in our Mumbai language, you know, would do when they threaten people. That's the way he literally spoke. He spoke of consequences, which were dire. America says, America says, America says, America says, what America says, if they don't expect, there will be no more.
[00:08:30] There will be no Iran. There will be no Iranian empire, is what he said. And, again, he says that, Israel, he didn't ask Israel to attack. They are doing it on their own. Now, the point that I am trying to make is, this definitely looks like a tag team. America, promoting Israel, to attack, or America helping Israel, or Israel attacking, Iran, on America's behest. While, Israel have,
[00:08:59] has their own axe to grind with, Iran, no doubt about it. Like I told you, they fund, Houthi, they fund, Hezbollah, they fund Hamas. So, Israel has their own reasons. But, the fact remains that, America gave them, all the cover that they need, to ensure, that, they send whatever, airstrikes, on, Iran. This is where it stands. Now, let us understand our problem. You see, India,
[00:09:27] the first problem that we face, is, we are in between two friends. Israel, is a very dear friend of ours. Israel has been, constantly helping India, whenever India needed help. Israel was, among the few countries, very few countries, I would put it, which actually stood by India, when we were, at war, with Pakistan. Strongly stood by India. So, at one end, you have Israel. On the other hand, you have,
[00:09:57] Iran, which has been, very good to India. Through and through, we had a, fairly decent relationship, with Iran. Iran. In fact, you know, Iran, was, was, had offered to mediate, for between India and Pakistan, if India wants. Iran, gave a very, lukewarm response, to Pakistan, after India, Pakistan war, when, Pakistan delegation, went to Iran. They gave a very, lukewarm response. So, Iran,
[00:10:27] to a very major extent, has been very, good with India. Our relationships, have been very good. Now, this is where it stands. Two friends, Iran, Israel. Now, mind you, India, at this stage, though a lot of, jingoists in India, would want to think that way. India, at this stage, wouldn't want to, kind of, ruffle any feathers. Because, we too, need friends. We realized,
[00:10:56] that we were running out of friends. So, India, may not want to ruffle feathers. Like I said again, some jingoists, and commentators, who, for a couple of views, you know, they, they would want to, think, you know, they would want to, kind of, think otherwise. But, India wants friends. And, India may not, want to, kind of, offend Iran. Of course, we wouldn't want to, offend Israel either. So, we are stuck there. So, that's our problem, number one.
[00:11:25] There are two friends fighting. Number one. Number two, is, the chances are, at some point, America is going to, enter into this fray. Could enter into this fray. Directly, indirectly, they could enter into this fray. Now, directly or indirectly, for America to enter into this fray, Pakistan would be a very good ally, to America. Pakistan would be an important ally,
[00:11:56] for America, to enter into this fray. Pakistan is not going to, ally with Israel. So, then the only, country that can, ally with Pakistan, or use Pakistan, or use Pakistan territory, end of the day, Pakistan is like that, super agent. So, you pay money, you pay some, grant, and they will give you, whatever they want. They want to, you want to kill somebody, they will kill, they will get, they will kill, you want terrorist created, they will produce terrorist, and give it to you. So, they are a very, effective, efficient, terrorist producing nation.
[00:12:27] So, and America is, a country that, wouldn't mind using, these kind of tactics, because, I don't say this, it is Pakistan's, defense minister who said it. So, I don't say this. Okay, let's go. So, Pakistan, America may need Pakistan, at this point in time. So, America may come, closer to Pakistan, and possibly a lot of these, deals that you are hearing about, in the recent past,
[00:12:57] a lot of good things, that are happening, to, Pakistan, could be something that, has been provided, or, would be, with the support of, United States of, of America. This is my opinion, that I am talking to you about. So, three points. One, is, America is going to support Israel, against, Iran, which is open. It's nothing, it's no secret.
[00:13:26] For America, to support Israel, they would require, Pakistan's help, and Pakistan's services. You know, what kind of services, so they would require, Pakistan's services. So, America, would want to be friendly, with Pakistan. China, is already friendly, with Pakistan. Now, our allies, Israel is busy, tackling Iran. Our allies, Russia is busy, tackling Ukraine. That is why, I mentioned, Russia, Ukraine, conflict, with you first. So, while,
[00:13:56] our allies are busy, with their own enemies, and own problems, we will be left, with this, chick park, the new, combination of China, and Pakistan, that, could take shape, across, our borders. Which is not going to be, very nice for us. Because, America may not want, to engage with Pakistan, and China, will definitely, use this opportunity, to again, possibly pay Pakistan,
[00:14:26] incentivize Pakistan, to create problems, in our border. This, is a probability. So, this is the second problem, that India could face. So, in all of this, this is, our problem. Two friends fighting, and, two enemies, that could come together, to create problems for us. This, is what I want to leave you with. Think about it.
[00:14:55] Think about this perspective. It's a possibility. I am not saying, it is happening. It is a possibility. Give me a comment. Let me know, your thoughts. And, I will see you, Monday, at 10. Namaskar.