India has set up a special dispatch center in view of the current situation in West Asia and the Persian Gulf region as the US-Israel-Iran conflict enters its fifth day. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued emergency contact numbers to help Indians in the affected area.
In a tweet, Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson of the MEA, shared the contact details of these control rooms and said, “A special control post has been set up in the Ministry of External Affairs in view of the current situation in West Asia and the Persian Gulf region.”
According to the MEA, the control room will function from 9 am to 9 pm. He can be contacted at:
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Emergency numbers for Indian Missions
The Indian government has published emergency contact numbers for Indian embassies across the region:
Iran: +98 9128109115 / +98 912810910 / +98 912810910 / +98 932179359
Iraq: +964 771 651 1185 / +964 770444 4899
Israel: +972 54 7520711 / +972 54 2428378
Oman: +968 98282270 (WhatsApp) / 80071234 (Toll Free)
Ramallah, Palestine: +970 592916418
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh): +966 11 4884697 / 800 247 1234 (toll free)
Saudi Arabia (Jeddah): +966 126648660 / +966 12 2614093
UAE: +971 543090571 (WhatsApp) / 800 46342 (Toll Free)
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Earlier on Tuesday, the MEA said nearly one billion Indian citizens live in West Asia and their safety and well-being is a “top priority” for Delhi. “We cannot be immune to any development that negatively affects them.”
India reports energy supply concerns
India has expressed concern about the consequences for the Indian economy due to possible disruption of energy supplies as the conflict in West Asia widens.
Iran continued to pound several Gulf countries in retaliation for a joint Israeli-US attack against it. The Islamic nation has also blocked the strategically located shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting a spike in global oil prices.
The Strait of Hormuz provides almost 20 percent of the world’s total oil and gas supplies. About 50 percent of India’s oil imports, or roughly 2.6 million barrels a day, pass through the strait.
“Our trade and energy supply chains also pass through this geography. Any major disruption has serious implications for the Indian economy,” the MEA said on Tuesday.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi even discussed the developing situation with the leaders of Oman, Kuwait and Qatar.
After a telephone conversation with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, PM Modi said India stands “firmly” in solidarity with the Gulf nation and strongly condemns any violation of its “sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
“We emphasized the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region through dialogue and diplomacy. I also expressed my appreciation for his continued support and care for the Indian community in Qatar at this challenging time,” he said.
However, India is silent on the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
