Stating that the unfolding conflict in West Asia has led to “numerous casualties, including at the leadership level in Iran”, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday outlined in the Rajya Sabha three broad messages of the Government: it favours a return to dialogue, views the security of the Indian diaspora as a priority, and considers energy security paramount.
In a suo motu statement “on the situation in West Asia”, amid protests and slogan-shouting by the Opposition which demanded a “full-fledged” discussion on the issue, Jaishankar also said that nearly 67,000 Indian nationals have returned from the region since the war began on February 28.
Referring to the sinking of an Iranian ship off the coast of Sri Lanka, he said Iran had requested permission on February 28 for “three ships” in the region to dock at Indian ports. The request was granted on March 1, he said. “We believe that this was the right thing to do and the Iranian Foreign Minister (Abbas Araghchi) has expressed his country’s thanks for this humane gesture,” Jaishankar said.
On March 7, The Indian Express first reported that IRIS Dena, the Iranian frigate torpedoed by the US, had earlier been offered shelter by India at one of its ports in view of rising tensions between the US and Iran.
Jaishankar said India has also allowed another Iranian ship, IRIS Lavan, to dock in Kochi. Meanwhile, an Iranian warship, IRIS Bushehr, was allowed to dock by Sri Lanka at its eastern port of Trincomalee after it sought permission citing engine failure.
While attempts have been made to remain in contact with Iran, engagement at the leadership level is “obviously difficult at this time”, the Union Minister said, adding that he has spoken twice to Araghchi.
Jaishankar said: “First, India is in favour of peace and urges a return to dialogue and diplomacy. We advocate de-escalation, restraint and ensuring the safety of civilians.”
Story continues below this ad
He said “the well-being and security of the Indian community in the region is our priority” and that India “will continue to work with the governments of the region towards that end”.
“Our national interest, including energy security and trade flows, will always be paramount,” he said. Referring to the implications of the conflict for energy security, Jaishankar said: “The Government remains committed to ensuring that fully, taking into account the costs and risks of the energy markets. For us, the interests of the Indian consumer have been and will always be the overriding priority.”
This is the most detailed statement by the External Affairs Minister since the US and Israel attacked Iran last month. More than 1,230 people in Iran, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 397 in Lebanon and 11 in Israel, have been killed so far in the conflict.
Stating that “recent developments in West Asia” are a cause of “deep concern”, Jaishankar outlined the sequence of events from India’s perspective. At the outset, he said, the Government issued a statement on February 28 expressing deep concern and urging all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation and prioritise civilian safety.
Story continues below this ad
“We believed and continue to believe that dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions and address underlying issues,” he said, referring to negotiations brokered by Oman between the US and Iran over the Iranian nuclear programme. “It is also imperative that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states in the region be respected,” he said.
“Given the gravity of the situation, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) met on March 1 under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister. It was briefed on the airstrikes in Iran and the subsequent attacks in several Gulf countries. The CCS was concerned over the safety and security of the Indian community in the region. It also focused on the implications for regional security and for economic and commercial activities,” he said.
“The Committee was apprised of the difficulties faced by Indian travellers transiting the region and by students appearing for scheduled examinations in these countries. It directed all concerned ministries and departments to take appropriate measures to respond to these problems… The Prime Minister continues to closely monitor emerging developments and the relevant ministries are coordinating to ensure effective responses,” Jaishankar said.
“The conflict has continued to intensify and the security situation in the region has deteriorated significantly. The conflict has spread to other nations, with mounting destruction and deaths. Normal life and economic activities across the region are visibly affected and, in some cases, have come to a halt. We therefore reiterated our call on March 3 for dialogue and diplomacy and spoke for an early end to the conflict,” he said.
Story continues below this ad
“While any development that negatively impacts peace and security in the world is deeply troubling, this ongoing conflict is of particular concern for India,” Jaishankar said.
“We are in a neighbouring region and understandably have an obvious stake in ensuring that West Asia remains stable and peaceful. There are almost 1 crore Indian citizens who live and work in the Gulf nations. In Iran too, there are a few thousand Indians there for study or employment. The region is key to our energy security and includes many important suppliers of oil and gas,” he said.
He said about 10 million Indians live in the region and around 60 per cent of India’s energy imports come from West Asia.
Highlighting economic ties, he said: “The Gulf is also a major trade partner, accounting for almost USD 200 billion annually. The House is aware that in the last decade there have been significant investments from the region into the Indian economy. Therefore, the serious supply chain disruptions and climate of instability that we perceive are serious issues.”
Story continues below this ad
Referring to Indian seafarers caught in the conflict, Jaishankar said: “These include attacks on merchant shipping, where Indian nationals often constitute a large proportion of the crews. We have sadly already lost two Indian mariners and one remains missing in such incidents.”
On advisories issued to Indian nationals, he reiterated that the Government had issued multiple advisories over the past two months, including one on February 14 by the Embassy in Tehran urging Indian nationals to leave Iran by all available means of transport.
Once the conflict began, the embassy facilitated the relocation of several students in Tehran to locations outside the capital, he said. Elaborating on the role of Indian missions in the region, Jaishankar said: “Our diplomats have also worked hard to assist stranded transit passengers in hubs like Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi. They have facilitated international border crossings for Indian nationals, including from the UAE to Oman and from Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain to Saudi Arabia.”
