Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a telephonic conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron during which both the leaders discussed their ”shared concerns” over the escalating conflict in Iran and the Gulf region.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi amid escalating conflict in West Asia.
In a post on X, after the telephonic conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, PM Modi said, “Spoke with my friend President Emmanuel Macron today. We discussed our shared concerns over the evolving situation in West Asia and the need for a return to dialogue and diplomacy. We will continue to engage closely and coordinate efforts towards the early restoration of peace and stability in the region.”
After his interaction with the Iranian FM, EAM Jaishankar wrote on X, “Had a telecon with Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi this afternoon.”
Jaishankar also held a telephonic conversation with his Oman counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi on Thursday, discussing the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Following the conversation, he wrote in a post on X, “Spoke with FM Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi of Oman on the ongoing conflict in West Asia.”
Earlier in the day, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, on behalf of the Government of India, signed the condolence book at the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi and offered condolences on the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Earlier on March 3, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had issued a statement on ongoing conflict in the West Asia region.
India on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict in Iran and the Gulf region, urging all sides to exercise restraint and prioritise civilian safety. The situation has deteriorated significantly, with increased violence and disruptions to normal life. “There are almost one crore Indian citizens who live and work in the Gulf region. Their safety and well-being are of utmost priority. We cannot be impervious to any development that negatively affects them,” the MEA said in the statement.
“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. Already, some Indian nationals have lost their lives or are missing as a result of such attacks in the last few days,” said the statement.
“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 statement further stated.
The conflict in West Asia was triggered by the joint US-Israel strikes against Iran on February 28, aimed at degrading Tehran’s missile capabilities and defence infrastructure. The opening operation killed senior figures in the Iranian leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering a response from Tehran in the form of drone and missile attacks targetting US assets, regional capitals and allied forces across the region
Iran’s retaliatory strikes have spanned several countries, with missiles and drones intercepted over Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, prompting temporary airspace closures.