South African High Commissioner Anil Sooklal warns prolonged conflict in West Asia is harming global energy security and economic growth….reports Asian Lite News
Anil Sooklal, South Africa’s High Commissioner to India, has called for urgent diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation in the West Asia conflict, warning that continued war would have devastating consequences for global stability, energy security and economic growth.
Speaking in an interview in New Delhi, Sooklal said the ongoing crisis in West Asia was already having a severe impact on economies worldwide, particularly through disruptions to energy markets and broader economic uncertainty.
“We have to remain optimistic because that’s the need of the hour,” he said.
“The war, if it continues, is going to have a devastating effect on all of us. It has already had a very negative impact, especially in terms of energy security.”
The envoy echoed remarks previously made by Narendra Modi that “now is not the time for war”, stressing that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only path towards lasting peace.
His comments come amid renewed tensions involving the United States and Iran after negotiations aimed at easing the regional conflict stalled following lengthy talks earlier this month.
Sooklal warned that failure in diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran could sharply escalate tensions across the region.
“Through dialogue you address differences and find a common solution and lasting peace,” he said.
“We need to encourage the parties to remain engaged and continue talking to each other so that we can find a peace dividend for the region and for the good of humanity.”
The diplomat also warned that the conflict was slowing global progress towards renewable energy cooperation and broader international development goals.
“There are no winners in war,” he said.
“We are all losers, not only the parties involved in this war, but humanity as a whole.”
Beyond the conflict in West Asia, Sooklal spoke about broader geopolitical shifts, saying the world was moving towards a multipolar global order in which power would no longer be dominated by a small number of countries.
“I think there’s a global power shift,” he said.
“We are moving towards a multipolar world and I think this is good for the global community.”
He argued that countries from the Global South, including India and members of the BRICS bloc, would play a growing role in shaping future international relations and global governance.
Sooklal also criticised what he described as the “weaponisation” of the G20 after South Africa was reportedly excluded from certain proceedings under the current presidency.
Despite the tensions, he said South Africa would continue to play an active role within the G20 framework and remain committed to collective international cooperation.
The envoy also highlighted the close democratic and constitutional ties between India and South Africa, revealing that South Africa drew inspiration from the Indian Constitution while drafting its own post apartheid constitution in the 1990s.
Marking the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s Constitution Day, Sooklal said the country remained proud of its democratic institutions and constitutional framework, which he described as central to ensuring equality and preventing the return of apartheid era injustices.
