- This was the first direct contact between the two leaders since the Iran conflict began last month
- "Reiterated India's commitment to peace and urged for dialogue and diplomacy," PM Modi to Iran president
- PM Modi has spoken to leaders of several West Asian countries in the last 10 days
Underlining India's commitment to peace and dialogue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday "expressed deep concern" over the escalating situation in the Middle East in a telephonic conversation with Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian.
This was the first direct contact between the two leaders since the Iran conflict began last month.
"Had a conversation with Iranian President, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, to discuss the serious situation in the region. Expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure," PM Modi said in a late-night post on X.
"The safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remain India's top priorities. Reiterated India's commitment to peace and stability and urged for dialogue and diplomacy," the Prime Minister added.
PM Modi has spoken to leaders of several West Asian countries in the last 10 days in the wake of the coordinated offensive launched against Iran by the United States and Israel, in which the Islamic country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was assassinated on February 28, triggering a war that spread across the Middle East.
Iran responded by targeting Israel and US military bases around the Gulf region, including the global business and aviation hubs of Dubai and Doha.
Shipping in and around the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) passes, remains at a near-standstill, with another three ships attacked in the Gulf off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and Iraq.
India is the world's second-largest buyer of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), 90 percent of which passes through the Strait of Hormuz, where traffic has effectively come to a standstill.
Far from the Middle East, restaurants in India are feeling the heat of the conflict with cooking gas shortages.
On Wednesday, PM Modi said there was "no need to panic", and the government has set up a committee to review industry pleas to boost cooking gas supplies.
A top Iranian military figure warned yesterday that the country could wage a prolonged war that would "destroy" the world economy, while US President Donald Trump insisted that Iran was facing imminent defeat.
India's Outreach Efforts
The Prime Minister had earlier spoken to the leaders of Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Israel and Qatar, and expressed concern over the attacks on their countries, and condemned the violation of some nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Around 1 crore Indians live in the Gulf and West Asia. While about 10,000 Indian citizens live, study and work in Iran, more than 40,000 live in Israel.
Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi to discuss the safety of shipping and energy security, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press briefing.
The briefing was held following a string of attacks on commercial vessels in the crucial waterway of the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman, a key route for global oil trade.
External Affairs Spokesperson Jaiswal said the discussion focused on ensuring the safe passage of ships and maintaining stable energy supplies through the region.
"External Affairs Minister and the Foreign Minister of Iran have had three conversations in recent days. The last one discussed issues pertaining to the safety of shipping and India's energy security. Beyond that, it would be premature for me to say anything," Jaiswal said.
The Ministry also confirmed that around 9,000 Indian nationals, including students, seafarers, professionals, business people, and pilgrims, are currently in Iran and are being assisted amid safety concerns in the country.
