After a dangerous stalemate a window of hope | Viewpoint by Syed Akbaruddin

The preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran has cooled the crisis without ending it. It is being described in some quarters as a breakthrough. It is certainly better than the alternative: a prolonged conflict, a blocked Strait of Hormuz, spiralling oil prices and a widening regional war. The MoU matters for India not because it was at the negotiating table, but because Indians were among those paying the bill. It would be a mistake, however, to confuse this MoU with a comprehensive settlement. At best, it has pushed the crisis back into the diplomatic framework….