India calls for dialogue; diplomacy: EAM

West Asia crisis: Defends Iranian ship docking on humanitarian grounds

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India on Monday advocated deescalation of tensions in West Asia and called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve all underlying issues, as it put the safety of around one crore Indians in the region as its top priority, along with securing energy security and trade.

Making a suo-motu statement in Parliament, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said New Delhi stood for maintaining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states in the region. He defended allowing the Iranian ship to dock at an Indian port as the right decision taken on humanitarian grounds.

He said the Indian government has been constantly monitoring the evolving situation in the region at the highest level and has already brought back 67,000 stranded Indians from the conflict zone.

Jaishankar said the safety of Indian nationals and national interests, such as energy security and trade, remain the topmost priority for the government.

“India is in favour of peace and urges a return to dialogue and diplomacy. We advocate deescalation, restraint, and ensuring the safety of civilians,” he said in identical statements in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

“The well-being and security of the Indian community in the region is our priority. And our national interests, including energy security and trade, will always be paramount,” he said.