I rise to apprise this august Home of current developments in West Asia which can be a reason for deep concern to all of us. As Hon’ble Members are conscious, this spherical of battle began on 28 February 2026. It has witnessed not solely combating between Israel and america on one facet and Iran on the opposite, but in addition assaults on various Gulf States. There have been quite a few casualties, together with on the management stage in Iran, in addition to destruction of infrastructure within the area.
2. On the very outset, Authorities had issued a press release on 28 February expressing its deep concern and urging all sides to train restraint, keep away from escalation and prioritize the protection of civilians. We believed and proceed to consider that dialogue and diplomacy ought to be pursued to de-escalate tensions and deal with underlying points. Sir, it’s also crucial that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states within the area be revered.
3. Given the gravity of the state of affairs, the Cupboard Committee of Safety (CCS) met on 01 March underneath the Chairmanship of the Hon’ble Prime Minister. It was briefed on the airstrikes in Iran and the next assaults in a number of Gulf nations. The CCS was involved over the protection and safety of the Indian group within the area. It additionally targeted on the implications for regional safety and for financial and business actions. The Committee was apprised of difficulties confronted by Indian vacationers transiting the area and by college students showing for scheduled examinations in these nations. It directed all involved Ministries and Departments to take applicable measures to reply to these issues. Hon’ble Prime Minister continues to carefully monitor rising developments and the related Ministries are coordinating to make sure efficient responses.
4. The battle has continued to accentuate and the safety state of affairs within the area has deteriorated considerably. We’ve got famous that, in reality, the battle unfold to different nations with mounting destruction and deaths. Regular life and financial actions in the complete area are visibly affected and, in some circumstances, had come to a halt. We, subsequently, reiterated our name on 03 March for dialogue and diplomacy and spoke up for an early finish to the battle. I’m assured that the Home joins me in expressing our sorrow on the lack of lives.
5. Hon’ble Chairman Sir, whereas any growth that negatively impacts peace and safety on the earth is deeply troubling, this ongoing battle is a matter of specific concern for India. We’re a neighbouring area and understandably, have apparent stakes that West Asia stay steady and peaceable. There are nearly one crore Indian residents who stay and work within the Gulf nations. In Iran too, there are just a few thousand Indians who’re there for examine or for employment. The area is essential to our power safety and contains many essential suppliers of oil and gasoline.
6. Chairman Sir, the Gulf can be a serious commerce companion, accounting for nearly USD 200 billion yearly. The Home can be conscious that within the final decade, there have been important investments from the area into the Indian economic system. Subsequently, critical provide chain disruptions and local weather of instability that we understand are critical points. Moreover, these embody assaults on service provider transport the place Indian nationals usually represent a big proportion of the crews. We’ve got sadly already misplaced two Indian mariners and one stays lacking in such incidents. I do know that the Home joins me in condoling their deaths.
7. Hon’ble Chairman, Authorities has been assessing the state of affairs in West Asia repeatedly for the reason that 12-day warfare in June 2025. We famous the indications of rising rigidity and cautioned the Indian group in Iran accordingly. On 5 January 2026, Indian nationals had been suggested by the Ministry of Exterior Affairs to keep away from non-essential journey to Iran. These already resident there have been urged to register with the Embassy, train due warning and monitor the Embassy web site and social media handles. A second advisory was issued on 14 January 2026 reiterating the recommendation to keep away from journey in even stronger phrases. The Directorate Normal of Delivery Mumbai, in parallel issued its personal advisory on 14 January 2026 for Indian seafarers asking them to observe Embassy advisories and keep away from pointless motion ashore. Recruitment and Delivery Corporations had been additionally requested to not deploy or ship Indian seafarers to Iran.
8. Sir, reflecting our evaluation of the evolving state of affairs, the Indian Embassy in Tehran issued one other advisory on 14 February 2026 urging Indian nationals together with college students, pilgrims, businesspersons and vacationers to go away Iran by all accessible technique of transport, together with business flights. They had been requested to contact the Embassy for any help and supplied with 24×7 helplines. This was once more reiterated in sturdy phrases by one other advisory on 23 February. Some heeded these advisories and left the nation; nevertheless, many others have disregarded them and stay in Iran. We’re additionally in contact with our fishermen who function out of Iran. This was the state of affairs till 28 February 2026.
9. As soon as the battle commenced, the Indian Embassy has facilitated the relocation of a number of Indian college students in Tehran to locations outdoors Tehran. An advisory replace with emergency contact helplines was issued on 3 March 2026. Equally, facilitation was prolonged to pilgrims for his or her inner motion. Indian nationals who had been in Iran for enterprise causes had been assisted to cross over to Armenia and return residence. The Embassy in Tehran stays totally operational, in reality on the very best alert. They’re completely dedicated to supporting the Indian group on this troublesome second and in helping Indian nationals who might want to cross worldwide borders. The place seafarers are involved, the Directorate Normal of Delivery by an order on 2 March has constituted a Fast Response Group for rapid response, coordination and assist features. It will perform on a 24×7 foundation.
10. Hon’ble Chairman Sir, I’d additionally like to tell the Home by you that each Indian Embassy within the area has equally issued advisories. The Embassy in Israel did so on 28 February and 01 March, UAE on 28 February and 05 March, Bahrain on 28 February, Qatar on 28 February, Kuwait on 28 February and 05 March, Saudi Arabia on 28 February and 08 March, Oman on 28 February, Iraq on 28 February and 05 March. MEA has arrange a devoted particular management room to watch the state of affairs and reply to queries from these affected, in addition to their households. The MEA’s newest replace was issued on 07 March.
11. Our diplomats have additionally labored laborious to help stranded transit passengers in hubs like Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi. They’ve facilitated worldwide border crossings for Indian nationals, together with from UAE to Oman and from Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain to Saudi Arabia. Wherever there was a partial opening of air area, now we have permitted and undertaken business flights together with non-scheduled flights to allow the return of Indian passengers. Our estimate is that as of yesterday nearly 67,000 of our nationals have achieved so. Sir, at present I used to be knowledgeable of a handout of a info put out by the Ministry of Civil Aviation which tells us of the efforts Authorities is making; there have been 51 inbound flights operated by Indian carriers which arrived in India on the 07th. On the 08th, there have been 49 flights. On the 09th there are 50 flights. So I wish to guarantee the Home that each effort is being made that those that are caught within the area, those that are transit passengers who’re there, those that want to come back again urgently from this area, we’re making each effort for them to take action.
12. Chairman Sir, all through this era, Authorities maintained shut contact with the related nations. Hon’ble Prime Minister himself has spoken to the President of UAE, the Amir of Qatar, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, the Crown Prince of Kuwait, the King of Bahrain, the Sultan of Oman, the King of Jordan and the Prime Minister of Israel. In every case, we obtained assurances that the well-being of the Indian group can be a precedence for the host Authorities. I’ve equally been in shut contact with my counterparts in these nations. Insofar as america is anxious, now we have maintained common contacts by diplomatic channels. Whereas makes an attempt have been made, contacts with Iran on the management stage are clearly troublesome presently. I’ve, nevertheless, spoken to Overseas Minister Araghchi on 28 February and 5 March 2026. We’ll proceed these high-level conversations within the coming days.
13. Sir, the Home can even have an interest within the difficulty of an Iranian vessel that’s at the moment docked in Kochi. Iranian facet requested permission on 28 February for 3 ships within the area to dock at our ports. This was accorded on 01 March. IRIS LAVAN really docked on 04 March in Kochi. The crew is at the moment in Indian naval services. We consider that this was the correct factor to do and the Iranian Overseas Minister has expressed his nation’s thanks for this humane gesture.
14. Hon’ble Chairman Sir, In view of the implications of this battle for our power safety, I additionally search to deal with that specific concern. Authorities stays dedicated to making sure that totally, taking into accountability, prices and dangers of the power markets. For us, the pursuits of the Indian client has and can at all times be the overriding precedence. The place required, Indian diplomacy has supported the endeavours of our power enterprises on this unstable state of affairs.
15. Hon’ble Chairman Sir, let me conclude by highlighting the three guiding elements of our strategy:
(i) India is in favour of peace and urges a return to dialogue and diplomacy. We advocate de-escalation, restraint and making certain the protection of civilians.
(ii) The well-being and safety of the Indian group within the area is our precedence. We’ll proceed to work with the Governments of the area in direction of that finish.
(iii) Our nationwide curiosity, together with power safety and commerce flows, will at all times be paramount.
16. I’m assured that Authorities has the complete assist of this august Home on this matter. Thanks.
This discussion on high-pressure systems is very relevant for super duplex steel exporters.