Following the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, international observers are evaluating India’s potential to serve as a diplomatic bridge between competing global powers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s direct engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has highlighted New Delhi’s strategic positioning.

India maintains a distinct foreign policy stance, characterized by its ability to engage with both Western nations and countries often at odds with the West, such as Russia and Iran. This 'multi-alignment' strategy is viewed by some analysts as a rare asset in the current geopolitical climate, where traditional diplomatic channels between rival camps have largely stalled. Proponents of this view suggest that India’s willingness to maintain open lines of communication with all sides could facilitate future conflict resolution efforts.

However, the SCMP report notes that while India possesses the necessary access to various global actors, the actual effectiveness of this mediation remains a subject of speculation. The article suggests that while India is increasingly viewed as a potential mediator, the practical constraints of such a role—and the willingness of the involved parties to accept India in that capacity—are not yet fully tested. The discourse centers on whether India’s 'clout' is sufficient to influence the outcomes of major conflicts or if its diplomatic efforts will remain largely symbolic.