NEW DELHI: As the world grapples with the Strait of Hormuz crisis, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday drew parallels with the 1956 Suez Canal crisis, highlighting how India’s then-UN envoy, VK Krishna Menon, played a central role in the diplomatic efforts to resolve it.Menon later served as India’s defence minister but resigned after the 1962 China war debacle.“The world is grappling with the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Seventy years ago, it faced what is known as the Suez crisis,” Ramesh posted on X.“On July 26, 1956, President Nasser of Egypt nationalised the Suez Canal. This created a huge furore in the West, and war clouds loomed. The man at the centre of the diplomatic effort to resolve the crisis was none other than VK Krishna Menon. Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Iran calls Israeli bombing of fuel depots ‘ecocide’; Trump warns Nato over war fallout’Fabrication of clips using AI’: UAE orders action against 19 Indians over misleading posts amid Iran warNetanyahu Debunks Death Rumours: PM posts new cafe video; envoy calls AI claims fakeHe succeeded admirably, but only for a while,” he added.Ramesh recalled that on October 29, the UK, France, and Israel launched an invasion of Egypt, which had to be aborted within days following intervention by a “furious” US President Dwight Eisenhower.“Ironically, this was the same man who three years earlier had approved the joint US-UK operation to overthrow the democratically elected PM of Iran, Mohammed Mosaddegh, who had nationalised the oil industry there,” the Rajya Sabha MP observed, referring to Eisenhower.After the Egyptian invasion was halted, the UN Emergency Force remained stationed along the Sinai and Gaza borders until early June 1967. “This Force, drawn from ten countries including India, was active till 1967. Its commander from December 1959 to January 1964 was Lt. Gen PS Gyani, and from January 1966 to June 1967, Maj. Gen Inder Jit Rikye led it,” he stated.He further pointed out that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru himself had addressed the Indian contingent at the Gaza Strip on May 20, 1960. The six-day war immediately followed the departure of the UN Emergency Force.Ramesh also shared photographs of Menon with Nasser, Antony Eden, and Selwyn Lloyd during the hectic diplomatic efforts.The recollections come as the world contends with the Hormuz Strait crisis. Amid fears of a global energy crunch, only a few ships have passed through the vital waterway, through which a 20% of the world’s oil normally travels. Iranian strikes on commercial vessels have slowed shipping to a trickle, sharply increasing oil prices and pressuring Washington to act to ease the strain on consumers and the global economy.Iran has effectively blocked the waterway in retaliation to the US-Israeli strikes which triggered the current Middle East crisis.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Dismisses Iran ‘Tanker Swap’ Deal Reports As Baseless, Ensures Safe Ship Movement Amid Crisis‘Biased Characterization Of India’: MEA Slams USCIRF Report Seeking Sanctions On RSS, R&AWJoint Tax Filing To Zero Penalties: AAP MP Raghav Chadha Pushes Big Relief For Common IndiansIndia Vs Pakistan Showdown At UN: Delhi Calls Out ‘Imaginary Islamophobia’ Claims, Afghan StrikesNDA Storm In Rajya Sabha Polls Bihar Clean Sweep Odisha Wins Haryana On HoldIndia Holds Off On US Trade Deal Signing As Washington Resets Global Tariff ArchitectureInternet Calls Bibi’s Cafe Video ‘Deepfake’, Israel Says PM Alive; ‘Free Palestine’ Echoes At OscarsIran Seeks Return Of 3 Tankers Seized By India In Return For Hormuz Safe Passage: ReportThree Indian Navy Destroyers Quietly Secure Oil Tankers Passage Through Volatile HormuzAnother Pinaka Regiment Becomes Operational, Three More By 2027: Reports123PhotostoriesHigh blood pressure isn’t just a heart problem, it’s a kidney alarm6 intelligent animals and birds on Earth after humans and where to spot themLakshmi Vilas Palace: 8 stunning facts about the world’s largest private homeMore than diabetes, more than the neck: Where Acanthosis Nigricans can hide10 home names inspired by flowers from around the worldBaby names for girls born during Navratri10 countries with the highest bird species in the world; India also secures a spot7 effective ways to keep your home cool during heatwavesUpcoming OTT releases this week (March 16 to 21): ‘Peaky Blinders’, ‘Chiraiya’, ‘BTS: The Comeback Live’, and more10 South Indian breads you should know about123Hot PicksDoha travel alertLadakh statehood ralliesRasgulla choking deathGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingMagic JohnsonIndia LPG TankerGreen Card HoldersTaylor SwiftTeam VenezuelaGreen Card HoldersAssembly election dateWWE Raw NewsCarlos Correa WifeEid ul fitr 2026
NEW DELHI: As the world grapples with the Strait of Hormuz crisis, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday drew parallels with the 1956 Suez Canal crisis, highlighting how India’s then-UN envoy, VK Krishna Menon, played a central role in the diplomatic efforts to resolve it.Menon later served as India’s defence minister but resigned after the 1962 China war debacle.“The world is grappling with the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Seventy years ago, it faced what is known as the Suez crisis,” Ramesh posted on X.“On July 26, 1956, President Nasser of Egypt nationalised the Suez Canal. This created a huge furore in the West, and war clouds loomed. The man at the centre of the diplomatic effort to resolve the crisis was none other than VK Krishna Menon. He succeeded admirably, but only for a while,” he added.Ramesh recalled that on October 29, the UK, France, and Israel launched an invasion of Egypt, which had to be aborted within days following intervention by a “furious” US President Dwight Eisenhower.“Ironically, this was the same man who three years earlier had approved the joint US-UK operation to overthrow the democratically elected PM of Iran, Mohammed Mosaddegh, who had nationalised the oil industry there,” the Rajya Sabha MP observed, referring to Eisenhower.After the Egyptian invasion was halted, the UN Emergency Force remained stationed along the Sinai and Gaza borders until early June 1967. “This Force, drawn from ten countries including India, was active till 1967. Its commander from December 1959 to January 1964 was Lt. Gen PS Gyani, and from January 1966 to June 1967, Maj. Gen Inder Jit Rikye led it,” he stated.He further pointed out that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru himself had addressed the Indian contingent at the Gaza Strip on May 20, 1960. The six-day war immediately followed the departure of the UN Emergency Force.Ramesh also shared photographs of Menon with Nasser, Antony Eden, and Selwyn Lloyd during the hectic diplomatic efforts.The recollections come as the world contends with the Hormuz Strait crisis. Amid fears of a global energy crunch, only a few ships have passed through the vital waterway, through which a 20% of the world’s oil normally travels. Iranian strikes on commercial vessels have slowed shipping to a trickle, sharply increasing oil prices and pressuring Washington to act to ease the strain on consumers and the global economy.Iran has effectively blocked the waterway in retaliation to the US-Israeli strikes which triggered the current Middle East crisis.
