‘Terroristan’ is unlikely peacemaker, but India should keep its cool

Apr 18, 2026 | 17:59 IST

Iran's Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, right, meeting Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir in Tehran, Iran on April 16

We need to sit this one out. Cursing Pakistan or diminishing its role right now only makes us come across as insecure and having a ‘sour grapes’ reaction

Guess where the world’s most high-stakes peace talks are being held? In Islamabad. And guess who is playing the neutral mediator? Pakistan! Sounds like a late-night comedy sketch, right? But no, this is real life. In a truly bizarre twist, Pakistan has been brokering talks in the US-Iran conflict, something that affects global peace and economy.

For Indians, this is especially hard to digest. Peace talks in Islamabad are like hosting Alcoholics Anonymous in a Janata Bar. It is like asking a bartender to lead sobriety sessions or a bald man teaching the world how to comb hair.

TOI

TOI

‘Terroristan’ is unlikely peacemaker, but India should keep its cool

We need to sit this one out. Cursing Pakistan or diminishing its role right now only makes us come across as insecure and having a ‘sour grapes’ reaction

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h3}}}

{{{offerprice}}}

{{{h3}}}

{{{offerprice}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}

Your Privacy is Important to us

Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information

TOI

‘Terroristan’ is unlikely peacemaker, but India should keep its cool

We need to sit this one out. Cursing Pakistan or diminishing its role right now only makes us come across as insecure and having a ‘sour grapes’ reaction

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h3}}}

{{{offerprice}}}

{{{h3}}}

{{{offerprice}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}