New Delhi, March 24: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has scheduled a meeting for Tuesday morning at 11 AM to discuss the evolving situation in West Asia.
On March 21, while addressing a programme in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, marking four years of the state government, Singh stated that India has taken a clear position on the conflict, emphasizing that a resolution should be achieved through dialogue and diplomacy.
He noted that the world is currently facing multiple crises, and the ongoing attacks in West Asia are a matter of concern not only for India but for the global community.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to make a statement in the Rajya Sabha today regarding the conflict and India’s energy security.
The West Asia conflict has now entered its fourth week, disrupting trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions escalated after the killing of 86-year-old Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint US-Israel military strikes on February 28.
In retaliation, Iran targeted Israeli and US assets across several Gulf countries, further disrupting the waterway and impacting international energy markets as well as global economic stability.
Yesterday, PM Modi addressed the Lok Sabha to brief members on the conflict and its potential impact on India, describing the situation as “worrisome.” He highlighted that the ongoing hostilities pose unprecedented economic, security, and humanitarian challenges.
The Prime Minister underscored India’s trade ties with West Asian countries affected by the conflict, noting that a significant portion of the country’s crude oil and gas requirements comes from the war-affected region. He also emphasized the strategic importance of the region for India’s wider trade routes.
Opposition parties, however, described the address as a “master class in self-boasts and partisan dialogue-baazi (dramatic dialogue).”
“The situation in West Asia is worrisome. This conflict has been ongoing for more than three weeks. It has a severe impact on the global economy and people’s lives, which is why the world is urging all sides for an early resolution,” PM Modi said. (Agency)
