India urged all stakeholders in West Asia on Saturday to exercise restraint and avoid escalation in the wake of the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, calling for dialogue and diplomacy to address core issues while emphasizing the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.
New Delhi’s response came hours after the US and Israeli military targeted Tehran and other cities in Iran, sparking retaliation from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which fired missiles and drones at Israel and military facilities in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates used by the US military.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its deep concern over the recent developments in Iran and the Gulf region and said in a statement: “We urge all parties to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritize the safety of civilians. Dialogue and diplomacy should continue to calm tensions and address the underlying issues.”
The statement added: “The sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected.”
The statement said that Indian missions in the region are in contact with Indian citizens and have issued warnings asking them to be vigilant, stay in touch with embassies and follow local security guidelines.
The attacks came two days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed a visit to Israel, during which he held talks with his counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. In a joint media interaction with Netanyahu on Thursday, Modi said peace and stability in West Asia “are directly linked to India’s security interests.”
He said that India has supported dialogue and peaceful resolution of issues from the beginning, and this is also the call of the Global South and humanity. Modi also affirmed India’s support for the Gaza peace plan, which opened the way towards peace.
It was necessary for the Indian side to maintain a balance between its growing security and strategic relations with Israel, which houses about forty thousand Indian workers, and its long-standing dependence on West Asian countries in the field of energy and trade. More than 10 million Indians live and work in West Asian countries, and are a source of remittances worth billions of dollars. Iran is home to nearly 10,000 Indians, including students and professionals.
Indian missions in Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have issued warnings urging Indian citizens to be cautious and avoid non-essential travel. The embassy in Jordan also advised Indian tourists to leave the country immediately before commercial flights are disrupted.
People familiar with the matter said that the Indian side is closely monitoring the situation and will take appropriate action to secure Indian citizens. They added that there are no immediate plans to evacuate Indians from the area, although the authorities are prepared for all contingencies.
