Ever since this war in West Asia broke out, the world is on a rollercoaster ride. It is such a giddying ride that one tends to lose the sense of space and direction. The impact of this war looked concretely hitting people across regions as the energy crisis turned real. Here in India, we had times when petrol pumps witnessed panic fuelling and domestic gas supplies looked like drying up. Though the government officials kept reassuring people that there was no need for panicking, but the worry was palpable. As the countries dependent for their fuel supplies on gulf region started bracing up for a long term planning in order to ensure that the system didn’t stop working, a flicker hope appeared on the horizon.

The two warring sides, USA and Iran, agreed to a ceasefire and to sit on a negotiating table. That was the moment when the world heaved a sigh of relief. What looked like an impossibility, suddenly became probable. And then the day came when the two teams from the two sides landed in the designated city, and they sat across a table. All cameras on, all eyes fixed to the outcome. The world waited with a bated breath. Then came an announcement, and a disappointment. The two sides didn’t reach any conclusion, and talks failed. Again it was back to the battlefield.

Now all focus was on the Strait of Hormuz. The war rhetoric again peaked and we are again in uncertain waters. One cannot predict with precision what is to follow. But the sounds of talks resuming are keeping the flame of hope alive. At the same time the spectre of fuel crisis is again raising its head.

While on the one hand one can hope that the two sides resume talks and come to some agreed conclusions. That would be something the world would want to happen. But on the other hand countries, particularly those dependent on fuel imports, have to brace up for any crisis.