Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday addressed the Rajya Sabha on the conflict in West Asia, a day after he spoke about the crisis in the Lok Sabha. He said the conflict in West Asia had “shaken” the global economy and would take a “long time” to recover.
He warned that if the war between the US and Iran, Israel continues for a long time, it could have serious consequences.
Prime Minister Modi’s Rajya Sabha speech on conflict in West Asia: Key takeaways
- Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday stressed the need for concerted efforts to promote peace and dialogue around the world as the ongoing conflict in West Asia affects trade, energy supplies and the security of millions of Indians living in the Persian Gulf.
- He said he had engaged in several telephone conversations with regional leaders since the beginning of the conflict and reaffirmed India’s ongoing diplomatic engagement with all Gulf countries as well as Iran, Israel and the United States.
3. “Irrespective of the crisis, it is our responsibility to maintain high economic growth,” PM Modi said.
4. The Prime Minister said that ensuring the safety of Indian citizens amid the conflict in West Asia remains a top priority, stressing that over 3,75,000 Indians have been brought back safely so far, including over 1,000 from Iran, and appealed to all parties to work towards a peaceful solution.
5. He also warned that the consequences of the war in West Asia could be long-lasting, adding that the government remains vigilant and takes necessary measures.
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6. In the Rajya Sabha, PM Modi warned miscreants against misusing the ongoing crisis and urged state governments to curb black marketing and hoarding.
7. He stressed that the government is taking all necessary measures to ensure adequate supply of fertilizers for the upcoming sowing season and assured the farmers that the government stands firmly with them in every situation.
8. PM Modi said “there is no other option for India but to become self-reliant”, noting that India wants peace in West Asia through “dialogue and diplomacy”.
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9. He announced that the government had started a ₹70,000 crore shipbuilding initiative. He also highlighted that 53 million tonnes of strategic oil reserves have been created over the past 11 years and work is underway to add another 65 million tonnes of capacity.
10. He said that India is working to secure gas and oil from all available sources and these efforts will continue in the coming days. The prime minister emphasized that the government’s priority is de-escalation and ensuring the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The American-Israeli, Iranian conflict
The conflict in West Asia has now entered its fourth week and trade through the Strait of Hormuz is facing severe disruption. Tensions rose after Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed in coordinated US-Israeli strikes on February 28.
In response, Iran launched attacks on Israeli and US targets in several Gulf countries, deepening disruptions to the strategic waterway and sending shockwaves through global energy markets and the wider economy.
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Meanwhile, Arab News, citing the Israeli website Yedioth Ahronoth, reported today that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is open to negotiations with the United States.
According to the report, Yedioth Ahronoth referred to a conversation between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US mediator Steve Witkoff, a move that was reportedly approved at the highest levels of Iran’s leadership.
(With inputs from ANI and PTI)
