In conversation with the President of Iran, PM Modi condemned attacks on infrastructure, said shipping routes should remain open. india news
In a post on Twitter, Modi said he also condemned attacks on critical infrastructure “in the region” that threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains. While Modi has clearly condemned the violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the GCC countries, which are vital to India’s energy and diaspora interests, he has not condemned the US-Israel attacks on Iran. However, in his last conversation with Pezeshkian, Modi had told him that India is a friend of Iran.
Pezeshkian again urged India, as the current BRICS Chair, to leverage its “independent role” to stop US-Israeli hostilities against Iran. According to the Iranian account of the talks, they further underlined that a condition for ending the war is an immediate cessation of aggression by the US and Israel, as well as guarantees against their recurrence in the future.Separately, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi and discussed the conflict in West Asia and its implications for the larger region.This week saw a dramatic escalation of the conflict when Israel attacked Iran’s South Pars gas field and Tehran retaliated with an attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial city, a global LNG hub. Modi had spoken to the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and leaders of other GCC countries and condemned the attacks on energy infrastructure in the region. On attacks on energy installations, the Prime Minister limited himself to condemning attacks “in the region” and did not name any countries.After the attack on its gas fields, Iran had targeted the energy centers of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and UAE besides Qatar. On Saturday, the PM also wished Pezeshkian a happy Eid and Nowruz. Thanking Iran for ensuring the safety of Indian citizens, he said, “We expressed hope that this festive season will bring peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia.”