S. Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister, expressed concern over the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, noting that it has become a significant issue for India.
He mentioned that India’s diplomatic efforts are focused on addressing these tensions, which have broader implications for security and trade, particularly due to disruptions in maritime routes and increased trade costs.
Speaking at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, Jaishankar emphasized India’s interest in preventing further conflicts and promoting initiatives such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the International North-South Trade Corridor (INSTC).
India, which depends on West Asia for energy and has a substantial expatriate population in the region, has closely followed the Israel-Hamas conflict and the rising tensions between Israel and Iran.
While condemning Hamas’s terrorist attacks, India has stressed the importance of Israel’s response addressing humanitarian concerns and has called for the cessation of hostilities and a return to diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a two-state solution.
