New Delhi. India’s Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has taken charge amid the worsening situation in the Middle East after the joint military attacks on Iran by America and Israel. He has launched a series of high-level phone calls with the leadership of Iran, Israel and all major Gulf countries. Its objective is not only to stop the violence but also to guarantee the safety of millions of Indians living there.
According to media reports, Jaishankar emphasized on dialogue and diplomacy to stop violence, and also assured the well-being of millions of Indians in this volatile region. He spoke directly to Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar. Jaishankar expressed deep concern over the increasing unrest in Iran. He clarified to Israel that India emphasizes on dialogue and diplomacy to reduce tension. Their talks extended to Saudi Arabia’s Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Kuwait’s Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Bahrain’s Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Qatar’s PM Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and UAE’s Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, each promising the safety of Indian expatriates.
US President Donald Trump announced a major combat operation against Iran after failed nuclear talks and asked the Iranians to oust his government in a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Israel confirmed the missile attacks, following which Iran’s Revolutionary Guards retaliated against US-Israeli bases in Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. There were explosions in Tehran and other places in Iran.
The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated Jaishankar’s appeals, expressing deep concern over the developments in Iran and the Gulf. She said that we urge all parties to exercise restraint, avoid escalating tensions and give priority to the safety of civilians and advocated dialogue to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity. With 18 million Indians in the Gulf sending billions of dollars home, New Delhi is striking a balance between economic ties, energy security and non-alignment, presenting itself as a voice of stability amid superpower squabbles and proxy wars that threaten global markets.
