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Informist, Monday, Mar. 9, 2026

 

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--Minister Jaishankar: Consistently monitoring developments in West Asia 
--CONTEXT:Minister Jaishankar's remarks in Rajya Sabha on West Asia conflict 
--Minister Jaishankar: To take apt steps amid West Asia crisis as required 
--Minister Jaishankar: Totally committed to support Indian community in Iran 
--Minister Jaishankar: Making all efforts to retrieve Indians in West Asia 
--Minister Jaishankar: In contact with US counterpart on West Asia conflict 
--Minister Jaishankar: Committed to ensure domestic energy supply 
--Minister Jaishankar: India in favour of peace, de-escalation in West Asia 
--Minister Jaishankar:Committed to fully ensure low-cost energy availability 

 

NEW DELHI – India is closely monitoring the situation in West Asia, with relevant ministries coordinating to ensure an effective response, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said in the Rajya Sabha Monday. The government remains committed to safeguarding domestic energy security, taking into account the availability, cost and risks of global energy markets, he said.

 

"For us, the interest of the Indian consumer has and will always be the overriding priority. Where required, Indian diplomacy has supported the endeavours of our energy enterprises in this volatile situation," Jaishankar said. 

 

According to the minister, the ongoing conflict between the US-Israel combine and Iran is an issue of particular concern for India. "We're a neighbouring region and understandably have obvious stakes that West Asia remains stable and peaceful... the region is key to our energy security and includes many important suppliers of oil and gas," he said. The Gulf Cooperation Council is a major trade partner, accounting for almost $200 billion worth of trade, and there has been significant investment from the region into the Indian economy over the last decade, he added.  

 

The Cabinet Committee on Security has directed concerned ministries and departments to take appropriate measures to help Indians residing in the region, Jaishankar said. "We're totally committed to supporting the Indian community in this difficult moment and in assisting Indian nationals who may wish to cross international borders," the minister said. India continues to believe that "dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions", he added.

 

Indian diplomats have facilitated border crossings for Indian nationals, including from the United Arab Emirates to Oman and from Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain to Saudi Arabia. "Our estimate is that as of yesterday (Sunday), almost 67,000 of our nationals have been transferred," Jaishankar said.

 

According to Jaishankar, the government has maintained close contact with relevant countries in West Asia and received assurance that the well-being of the Indian community is a priority for the host government. He added that the government has also maintained regular contact with the US through diplomatic channels in light of the conflict. 

 

On the Iranian vessel currently docked in Kochi, Kerala, Jaishankar said the West Asian country had sought permission to dock three ships at Indian ports last month. "This was accorded on Mar. 1. IRIS Lavan actually docked on Mar. 4 in Kochi. The crew is currently in Indian naval facilities. We believe this was the right thing to do and the Iranian foreign minister has expressed his country's thanks for this human gesture," he said.  End

 

Reported by Shakshi Jain

Edited by Tanima Banerjee

 

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