“India strongly reiterates its call for dialogue and diplomacy. We raise our voice clearly in favour of an early end to the conflict. Already, many lives have been regrettably lost and we express our grief in that regard…,” said MEA in a statement
India on Tuesday strongly reiterated its call for “dialogue and diplomacy” to resolve the ongoing conflict in West Asia, urging an early end to hostilities while expressing concern over the safety of nearly one crore Indian nationals in the Gulf.
In a statement, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson said, “India strongly reiterates its call for dialogue and diplomacy. We raise our voice clearly in favour of an early end to the conflict. Already, many lives have been regrettably lost and we express our grief in that regard….”
We had expressed our deep concern at the commencement of the conflict in Iran and the Gulf region on 28 February 2026. Even at that time, India had urged all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation and prioritise the safety of civilians. Unfortunately, in the holy month of… pic.twitter.com/PmMkzsdb4u
— ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2026
The statement said India was “deeply concerned about the recent developments in Iran and the Gulf region” and called on all parties to exercise restraint, prevent further escalation, and ensure the protection of civilians.
It stressed that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path to easing tensions and addressing the root causes of the crisis, while highlighting that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected.
The remarks come amid a sharp escalation in West Asia following recent military strikes involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
The statement also highlighted that safety and well-being of Indians living and working in the Gulf region remains a top priority.
“There are almost one crore Indian citizens who live and work in the Gulf region. Their safety and well-being are of utmost priority,” added the statement.
The statement further said that India’s key trade and energy supply chains pass through the region, cautioning that any major disruption would have significant repercussions for the Indian economy.
“Our trade and energy supply chains also traverse this geography. Any major disruption has serious consequences for the Indian economy. 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 MEA spokesperson said.
Expressing concern over the timing of the escalation, the MEA noted that the security situation has worsened considerably during the holy month of Ramadan, calling for urgent efforts to restore peace and stability.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi separately described the situation in West Asia as a “matter of grave concern” and reaffirmed that India has consistently called for disputes to be resolved peacefully through dialogue and diplomacy.
With inputs from agencies
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