Reiterating that the safety and well-being of almost one crore Indian citizens who live and work in the Gulf region is India's utmost priority, the external affairs ministry said India cannot be impervious to any development that negatively affects them, while making another fervent appeal to all parties for ending the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
As tensions continue, the ministry, in a statement lamenting the loss of lives, noted, "Unfortunately, in the holy month of Ramadan, the situation in the region has deteriorated significantly and continuously."
The remarks come even as US President Donald Trump said the US has "the capability to go far longer" than its projected four-to-five-week time frame for its military operations against Iran.
The ministry said India has already urged all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation and prioritise the safety of civilians. "We raise our voice clearly in favour of an early end to the conflict," it added.
Pointing out that in recent days, the conflict has intensified and spread to other nations, and that destruction and deaths have mounted, while normal life and economic activities have come to a halt, India said, "As a proximate neighbour with critical stakes in the security and stability of the region, these developments evoke great anxiety."
"There are almost one crore Indian citizens who live and work in the Gulf region. Their safety and well-being are of utmost priority. We cannot be impervious to any development that negatively affects them. Our trade and energy supply chains also traverse this geography. Any major disruption has serious consequences for the Indian economy,” it said.
“As a country whose nationals are prominent in the global workforce, India is also firmly opposed to attacks on merchant shipping. Already, some Indian nationals have lost their lives or are missing as a result of such attacks in the last few days," the statement from the ministry read.
Indian embassies and consulates in the affected countries remain in close touch with Indian nationals and community organisations, issuing regular advisories as appropriate, the ministry said, adding that they have also extended all possible help to those stranded by the conflict.
"We are in touch with the governments of this region as well as other key partners. The prime minister and the external affairs minister have held discussions with their counterparts. The government will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation and take relevant decisions in the national interest," the release added.
