By PTI
As the conflict in West Asia widened, India on Tuesday emphasised the interest of one crore Indian nationals in the region and voiced concern over consequences for the Indian economy due to possible disruptions in energy supplies, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the evolving situation with leaders of Oman, Kuwait and Qatar.
In its second statement since the US-Israel strikes on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation, India once again called for “dialogue and diplomacy” to end the conflict, noting that New Delhi has critical stakes in the security and stability of West Asia and the current developments “evoke great anxiety”.
In its second statement since the US and Israel attacked Iran and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation, India said the safety and security of Indians living in West Asia is its “utmost priority”.
“In recent days, we have not only witnessed an intensification of the conflict but also its spread to other nations. The destruction and deaths have mounted, even as normal life and economic activities come to a halt,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
“As a proximate neighbour with critical stakes in the security and stability of the region, these developments evoke great anxiety,” it said.
The MEA, however, did not mention the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the US-Israel strike.
“There are almost one crore Indian citizens who live and work in the Gulf region. Their safety and well-being is of utmost priority. We cannot be impervious to any development that negatively affects them,” it said.
“Our trade and energy supply chains also traverse this geography. Any major disruption has serious consequences for the Indian economy.” “As a country whose nationals are prominent in the global workforce, India is also firmly opposed to attacks on merchant shipping,” it said.
The MEA said that already, some Indian nationals have lost their lives or are missing as a result of the attacks in the last few days.
“In this background, India strongly reiterates its call for dialogue and diplomacy. We raise our voice clearly in favour of an early end to the conflict. Already, many lives have been regrettably lost and we express our grief in that regard,” the MEA said.
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