India is “concerned at the possibility of a broadening of the conflict” in West Asia, and can contribute as a facilitator of communication between Israel and Iran, External Affairs Minister (MEA) S Jaishankar said.
The statement by India’s foreign minister comes at a time when the tensions between Israel and Iran develop into a full-scale war.
Jaishankar’s remark came around the time Iran launched a barrage of at 180 ballistic missiles towards Tel Aviv on Tuesday (October 1) in response to Iran’s killing of former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.
Speaking at the Carnegie Endowment Centre for International Peace in the United States on the emerging volatile situation in West Asia, Jaishankar reiterated India’s stance that it considers the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas as a “terrorist attack”.
He also said that the root cause of current tensions in West Asia is Hamas’ attack on Israel last year.
India regards Oct 7 as terrorist attack
Jaishankar emphasised that response from any country should adhere to international humanitarian law and avoid harming civilians.
“We regard October 7 as a terrorist attack. We understand that Israel needed to respond, but we also believe that any response by any country has to take into account international humanitarian law and that it must be careful about any damage or implications for civilian populations. It is important to have some kind of international humanitarian effort,” he said.
India concerned at possibility of broadening conflict
The EAM further said that India is “concerned at the possibility of a broadening of the conflict, not just what happened in Lebanon, but also to the Houthis and the Red Sea, and to anything that happens between Iran and Israel”.
‘Don’t underestimate importance of conflict’
The minister went on to say that India realises the importance of maintaining communication in “difficult times”. “If there are things to be said and passed on and back, I think those are all contributions that we can make, and we do,” he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to retaliate and said “Iran made a big mistake tonight (October 1) – and it will pay for it.”
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a conversation with Netanyahu and highlighted that “terrorism has no place in our world.”
Sharing a post on X, detailing his conversation with Netanyahu, PM Modi said that he talked about recent developments in West Asia with his Israeli counterpart and said terrorism has no place in the world.
“It is crucial to prevent regional escalation and ensure the safe release of all hostages. India is committed to supporting efforts for an early restoration of peace and stability,” PM Modi said.
CLICK HERE to watch EAM Jaishankar’s full conversation at the Carnegie Endowment Centre for International Peace in the United States.
With inputs from agencies.
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West Asia crisis: Jaishankar says India can mediate Israel-Iran talks after Tehran targets Tel Aviv
