India Reiterates Call for Diplomacy as Iran-Gulf Conflict Escalates

NEW DELHI — India on Tuesday renewed its appeal for dialogue and restraint amid the escalating conflict in Iran and the broader Gulf region, saying it is closely monitoring developments and taking decisions guided by national interest.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said New Delhi had expressed “deep concern” when hostilities began on February 28 and had urged all parties to avoid escalation and prioritize civilian safety.

“Unfortunately, in the holy month of Ramadan, the situation in the region has deteriorated significantly and continuously,” the ministry said.

The MEA noted that the conflict has intensified in recent days and spread beyond its initial flashpoints, leading to mounting casualties and widespread disruption of daily life and economic activity.

“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. As a proximate neighbour with critical stakes in the security and stability of the region, these developments evoke great anxiety,” the statement said.

Indian officials said the government remains in close contact with countries in the region as well as key international partners. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar have held discussions with their counterparts as the situation evolves.

The safety of Indian nationals in the Gulf remains a top priority, the MEA said. Nearly 10 million Indians live and work in the region.

“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. Our trade and energy supply chains also traverse this geography. Any major disruption has serious consequences for the Indian economy,” the ministry said.

India also expressed concern over attacks on commercial shipping, noting that some Indian nationals have died or gone missing in recent days.

“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,” the statement said.

Reiterating its position, the MEA called for an immediate end to the hostilities.

“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 ministry said.

Indian embassies and consulates in affected countries are maintaining close contact with Indian nationals and community organizations, issuing advisories and providing assistance to those stranded by the conflict, officials said.

The statement was issued amid criticism from the opposition Congress party and members of the INDIA bloc, who questioned the government’s position, particularly regarding Iran. Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi condemned what she described as India’s silence over the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

However, several political analysts and foreign policy experts said the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has acted with caution, prioritizing national interests while navigating a complex geopolitical environment.

They pointed to past instances in which Congress-led governments maintained neutrality or aligned with global powers while keeping distance from regimes such as those of Saddam Hussein in Iraq and Muammar Gaddafi in Libya. (Source: IANS)