India believes in the rule of law, dialogue, and diplomacy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, adding that military conflict cannot resolve any issue. His remarks come amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict, which has destabilized much of West Asia.
“India and Finland believe in the rule of law, dialogue, and diplomacy. Only military conflict cannot solve any issue, whether it is in Ukraine or West Asia. We are both convinced that global institutions need urgent reform,” PM Modi said at a joint press event with Finland’s President Alexander Stubb.
The intense missile and drone exchanges shaking the Middle East were triggered by US-Israel strikes on Iran that led to the death of Ayatollah Khamenei last weekend. Most recently, an Iranian naval ship, IRIS Dena, was struck by a missile off the coast of Sri Lanka on Wednesday, killing dozens onboard.
Iranian authorities stated that the ship was a guest of India for a military exercise, while government sources clarified that IRIS Dena and its crew were India’s guests only from February 16 to 25. The attack on the ship occurred on February 28, after the vessel had completed its participation in the International Fleet Review (IFR) in Vizag and had not sought Indian assistance since.
At the press briefing, PM Modi noted that the world is currently facing a period of instability and uncertainty.
“Conflict persists in many regions, from Ukraine to West Asia. In this global environment, India and Europe, two of the world’s major diplomatic powers, are entering a golden era of cooperation,” he said.
“Our growing collaboration is providing new strength to global stability, development, and shared prosperity,” PM Modi added. He also highlighted the recently signed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement, saying it will further strengthen trade, investment, and technology cooperation between India and Finland.
