Paper: GS – II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: Global issues, Issue: New peacemakers in the world.
Context:
Recent ceasefire talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan were held in Doha, attended by Turkish intelligence, a sharp departure from past Western-led peace initiatives.
Key Highlights:
Historical Background: Shift from West to East:
| 20th Century | 21st Century |
| Peace diplomacy was dominated by Europe and the U.S. For examples, Geneva (1980s): Soviet-Afghan talks.Washington (1993): Oslo Accords between Israel and PLO. | Regional players in the Middle East and Asia are taking over as mediators.The U.S. absence from both Afghanistan and Middle Eastern diplomacy marks a strategic retreat. |
The Rise of New Mediating Powers:
Reasons for the Shift in Mediation Geography:
- Decline of U.S. dominance and erosion of Western unity in foreign policy.
- UN’s limited effectiveness in resolving modern conflicts.
- Regional powers’ growing economic and political confidence.
- The need for localized, culturally informed mediation in complex regional disputes.
Implications for India:
- India has occasionally engaged in mediation-like diplomacy (e.g., between Delhi and Rawalpindi during ceasefire claims) but largely avoids the “mediator” label.
- Historical caution due to sensitivities over Kashmir and non-alignment posture.
- Opportunity exists for India to play a constructive mediatory role in South Asia and the Global South through neutral diplomacy and developmental assistance.
Conclusion:
The rise of Middle Eastern and Asian powers as mediators signals a new phase of global governance. Mediation has evolved from being a tool of Western moral authority to an instrument of regional power projection, reflecting the changing balance of influence in international politics.
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