Middle East tensions: Government says it has key interests in Gulf region and will act in national interest

New Delhi: As conflicts in West Asia further intensify, India has expressed deep anxiety over the issue, saying any development that has a negative impact on nearly ten million Indian nationals in the Gulf cannot be ignored and any major disruption in the region will have serious consequences for the Indian economy.After Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the Iranian attack in a dialogue with the leaders of all GCC countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait), the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a latest statement strongly protesting the attack on commercial ships, highlighting India’s key interests in the region.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “Nearly ten million Indian citizens live and work in the Gulf region. Their safety and welfare are top priority. Our trade and energy supply chains also pass through this region.” He added that the government will continue to closely monitor the development of the situation and make relevant decisions based on national interest.As a first response to the outbreak of conflict between Iran and the Gulf region on Saturday, India urged all parties to exercise restraint, avoid escalation and prioritize the safety of civilians.“Unfortunately, the situation in the region continues to deteriorate significantly during Ramadan,” Jaiswal said, while reiterating India’s call for dialogue and diplomacy.The ministry said that as a country whose citizens occupy an important position in the global workforce, India also firmly opposes attacks on merchant ships. “A number of Indian nationals have been killed or missing as a result of such attacks over the past few days,” an MEA spokesman said, adding that India had made clear its support for an early end to the conflict and expressed sadness over the many lives lost.The government said the conflict had not only intensified in recent days but also spread to other countries. “While normal life and economic activities have come to a halt, the destruction and death toll continue to mount. As a close neighbor that is vital to the security and stability of the region, these developments cause great anxiety,” Jaiswal said.The ministry said Indian embassies and consulates in the affected countries remain in close contact with Indian nationals and community organizations and are issuing appropriate advisories regularly.“They have also provided all possible assistance to those in distress as a result of the conflict. The embassy and consulates will continue to be proactive in resolving all consular aspects of this conflict. We are in contact with governments in the region and other key partners. The prime minister and foreign ministers have held discussions with their counterparts,” the statement said.