Prime Minister Modi Discusses West Asia Tensions with Iranian President

Dialogue Amidst Rising Tensions

New Delhi, Mar 13: In light of the escalating conflict in West Asia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to address the 'serious situation' in the area.

During the discussion, Modi conveyed his grave concerns regarding the increasing tensions, the loss of civilian lives, and the destruction of essential infrastructure.

The Prime Minister emphasized that ensuring the safety of Indian nationals and facilitating the uninterrupted flow of goods and energy are paramount for India.

"I had a conversation with Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian to discuss the serious situation in the region. I expressed my deep concerns over the rising tensions and the tragic loss of civilian lives, along with the damage to infrastructure," Modi shared on a microblogging platform.

He reaffirmed India's dedication to fostering peace and stability, advocating for dialogue and diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis.

As per an official statement, President Pezeshkian updated Modi on Iran's current circumstances and provided insights into the latest developments in the region.

The two leaders agreed to maintain communication moving forward, as stated in the announcement.

In recent days, Modi has reached out to various leaders from West Asian nations following a coordinated offensive against Iran by the United States and Israel, which resulted in the death of the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader.

In response, Iran has launched drone and missile attacks targeting US military bases and Israeli interests in the Gulf, including major business and aviation centers like Dubai and Doha.

Previously, Modi had discussions with leaders from Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Israel, and Qatar, expressing his concerns regarding the assaults on their territories and condemning violations of sovereignty.

He also addressed the safety and welfare of the Indian diaspora in these nations, where approximately 10 million Indians reside in the Gulf and West Asia. Notably, around 10,000 Indians live, study, and work in Iran, while over 40,000 are based in Israel.

It is important to note that Iran has recently closed the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route for India's energy imports.

Just two days ago, Iranian forces targeted a bulk oil carrier en route to India as it attempted to navigate through the Strait of Hormuz.