NEW DELHI, March 9 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan in Parliament on Monday.
Earlier, Jaishankar addressed the Rajya Sabha and informed members that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is personally monitoring the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
Addressing the House regarding the volatile situation in the region, Jaishankar confirmed that the government has issued formal advisories to Indian nationals residing in Iran and emphasized that the safety of Indian citizens remains the government’s primary concern.
“The Prime Minister continues to closely monitor the emerging developments, and relevant ministries are coordinating to ensure effective responses,” Jaishankar said.
He added that the government remains in constant communication with Indians across the Gulf and confirmed that the Indian Embassy in Tehran remains fully operational, providing assistance to students caught in the conflict.
The minister told the House that the embassy has already facilitated the relocation of several students to safer areas. He also said that intensive efforts are underway to assist Indians currently stranded in countries such as Qatar and Jordan so they can be brought back safely.
Providing an update on the human toll linked to maritime disruptions, Jaishankar informed the Rajya Sabha that two Indian mariners working in merchant shipping had died, while one remains missing.
Detailing the broader geopolitical and economic implications, the Union minister said the ongoing conflict is of particular concern to India due to the country’s proximity to the region. “We are a neighbouring region and have obvious stakes in ensuring that West Asia remains stable,” he said.
He reminded the House that approximately one crore Indians live and work in Gulf nations, with several thousand more residing in Iran for study or employment.
Jaishankar also warned that the region is crucial to India’s energy security as it includes key suppliers of oil and gas.
He cautioned that serious supply chain disruptions and an increasingly unstable security environment pose significant challenges, noting that the conflict has continued to intensify while regional stability has deteriorated considerably.
According to the minister, the hostilities have now spread to multiple countries, leading to mounting destruction and a situation in which normal life and economic activities have been visibly affected.
Reaffirming India’s diplomatic position, Jaishankar emphasized that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path to de-escalation. He reminded Parliament that the government had expressed its concerns earlier.
“Our government issued a statement on February 20 expressing deep concerns and urging all sides to exercise restraint. We continue to believe that dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions,” he said.
The remarks were delivered amid significant disruption and sloganeering by Opposition members in the House. (ANI)
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