India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar faced criticism from his own country after his remarks at an all-party meeting on the West Asia crisis, where he responded to concerns over Pakistan’s reported role in potential United States(US)–Iran talks, went viral. 

 

According to remarks cited from the meeting, Jaishankar said, “We are not a dalaal (broker) nation,” while addressing questions around Islamabad’s reported mediation efforts.

 

He also said there was “nothing new” about Pakistan’s role, adding that the country had been “used” by the United States since 1981.

 

The comments came amid reports that Pakistan could host negotiations between the US and Iran, with US President Donald Trump appearing to endorse Islamabad’s role. During the meeting, the government also conveyed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had told Trump that the war must end soon.

 

The remarks triggered massive criticism online, as Indian users questioned both the language and the government’s position.

 

One reaction stated, “If Trump had asked Modi to mediate, it would have been his entire election campaign this year… So please do not disguise this foreign policy failure as ‘dalali’.”

 

Another said, “Was India a ‘Broker Country’ when Modi was desperate to mediate between Russia and Ukraine? Selective brokering or selective memory?”

 

A similar response read, “I wanted to ask, who was negotiating peace between Russia and Ukraine? Who was playing the ‘DALAL’ role.”

 

Several users also objected to the wording used by the minister. One comment said, “Such poor choice of words… Has he done any refresher training in Entire Foreign Affairs,” while another stated, “This language is insulting, unnecessary and undiplomatic.”

 

Another response said, “The ability to broker peace is an indicator of influence in the global sphere." A separate comment added, “Jaishankar used to be a career diplomat… The word ‘Dalal’ is the language of street vandals.”

 

Some reactions linked the remarks to India’s diplomatic position. One user wrote, “That’s just a polished way of admitting that both he and Modi are powerless in this situation.”

 

Others referenced Pakistan’s important role, with one comment stating, “Imagine calling peace efforts ‘dalaali’ just because you weren’t invited to the table.”

 

Along with all these reactions, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif also responded, saying, “Thinks of himself a hi fi dalal, remarks reflect personal frustration.”

 

Journalist Asma Shirazi said, “You speak such language when grapes are sour and defeat is unforgettable.”