Congress MP Shashi Tharoor addressed the differences between India's and Pakistan's roles in the ongoing Middle East crisis during a press conference in New Delhi. He defended India's approach while criticizing Pakistan's dependency on the United States, particularly in light of a controversial social media post by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that suggested US involvement in crafting his message. Tharoor remarked, 'Only Pakistan can play the kind of role it has played with Washington,' highlighting Pakistan's unique position due to its 900-km border with Iran and significant Shia population. He noted that over one crore Indians live in Gulf nations, stressing that the conflict has direct implications for India, especially regarding energy supplies. Tharoor dismissed criticisms from the opposition Congress party regarding Pakistan's mediation role, stating that India's interests lie in the outcome of the conflict rather than the mediation process itself. He warned that a vacuum in foreign policy could be detrimental to India's interests, emphasizing the need for active engagement in the region.