Earlier, India had said that it remained “deeply concerned” about the overall situation in West Asia, but welcomed reports of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel.

Pawar, a former Union agriculture minister, said India enjoys strong ties with Israel, particularly in the agriculture sector, where it has done commendable work. However, when a country attacks another big nation, it triggers “bitter relations”, which are not good, he said.

“India appears to have shifted from its traditional positive diplomatic position as far as Iran was concerned. The current leadership is not taking a clear stand regarding Iran. It should take a decision rather than abandoning the country’s original stand,” Pawar said.

When asked about the BJP repeatedly targeting the Congress over the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi in 1975, Pawar said the Emergency was a historical fact and had elicited a strong public reaction then.

“Indira Gandhi had publicly apologised for the Emergency. Repeatedly raking up the issue is not a sign of maturity. Let the BJP say what it wants, but the fact is that despite her defeat after the Emergency, people brought her back to power within a year,” he said.

Asked if the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) partners, NCP (SP), Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), would contest the upcoming local body polls in the state together, Pawar said a meeting to discuss the matter could be held soon. “I am not sure, but a meeting concerning that might take place on June 30,” he added. PTI SPK NR