Talking on the developments in West Asia, Exterior Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday (March 9, 2026) stated India stays in favour of peace, return to dialogue and diplomacy. India additionally advocates de-escalation, restraint, and guaranteeing security of civilians, he stated.
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Mr. Jaishankar, who was making a suo moto assertion on the battle in Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha on Monday, stated the developments in West Asia are a deep trigger for concern for all of us, saying the federal government continues to imagine dialogue and dialogue must be used to resolve all points. “It’s also crucial that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states within the area be revered,” he stated.
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He added that the effectively being and safety of the Indian neighborhood within the area stays the federal government’s precedence.
The Exterior Affairs Minister stated Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to carefully monitor the developments in West Asia. “The federal government has been assessing state of affairs in West Asia constantly because the battle broke out,” he stated including that the Cupboard Committee on Safety, chaired by Mr. Modi, was involved of the regional battle and the difficulties confronted by Indians within the area and Indian travellers.
The area is necessary for vitality safety, oil and gasoline provide, and the Gulf area is a significant buying and selling associate for India, accounting for nearly $200 billion yearly, Mr. Jaishankar famous. “The committee centered on the implications for regional safety and for financial and business actions,” he stated.
The Minister stated assaults on service provider transport have affected Indian seafarers, with casualties reported and one Indian mariner nonetheless lacking. Mr. Jaishankar stated the federal government had issued a collection of journey advisories since January, urging Indian nationals to keep away from non-essential journey to Iran and advising these already there to stay involved with the Indian embassy and comply with security precautions.
Mr. Jaishankar stated this struggle is of explicit concern to India. “There are virtually one crore Indian residents who reside and work within the Gulf nations and in Iran too, there are a couple of thousand Indians, who’re there for examine and employment. Each effort is being made to convey again Indians caught in West Asia,” he stated.
India has spoken to the Heads of State of all international locations within the area, Mr. Jaishankar stated. The federal government has acquired assurances concerning the effectively being of the host governments. India additionally maintained common contact with the U.S. by way of diplomatic channels, he added.
He stated Indian diplomatic missions have assisted residents with relocation and evacuation efforts, together with serving to some Indian nationals journey to neighbouring international locations reminiscent of Armenia for onward return to India. Based on the Minister, practically 67,000 Indian nationals have returned from the area as far as the federal government facilitated extra business flights and different journey preparations amid partial airspace openings.
The Ministry of Exterior Affairs has additionally arrange a devoted management room to watch the state of affairs and reply to requests from Indian nationals, whereas the Directorate Common of Transport has created a fast response staff to help Indian seafarers, he advised each the Homes.
Mr. Jaishankar stated the Indian authorities has remained in shut contact with regional leaders, with Prime Minister Modi chatting with the leaders of the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, and Israel, all of whom assured the security of the Indian neighborhood.
The Minister additionally knowledgeable the Home that an Iranian vessel, IRIS Lavan, was docked at Kochi on March 4 after India granted permission for humanitarian causes.
Mr. Jaishankar additionally famous that there have been quite a few casualties, together with on the management stage in Iran, in addition to destruction of infrastructure within the area.
“Whereas makes an attempt have been made, contacts with Iran on the management stage are clearly tough at the moment. I’ve, nonetheless, spoken to Overseas Minister Araghchi on February 20, 2026 and March 5, 2026. We’ll proceed this high-level conversations within the coming days,” he stated.
Mr. Jaishankar additionally added ultimately, “For us, the curiosity of Indian shoppers has and can at all times be within the overriding precedence. The place required, Indian diplomacy has supported the endeavours of our vitality enterprises on this unstable state of affairs.”
Printed – March 09, 2026 12:01 pm IST
