As tensions soared across West Asia after Iran’s missile barrage on Israel which threatened retaliation, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Washington DC and India, while calling for “restraint by all concerned and protection of civilians”, advised all its nationals to “avoid all non-essential travel to Iran”.
In a statement Wednesday “on the evolving situation in West Asia”, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “We are deeply concerned at the escalation of the security situation in West Asia and reiterate our call for restraint by all concerned and protection of civilians.”
“It is important that the conflict doesn’t take a wider regional dimension and we urge that all issues be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy,” the Ministry said.
The Indian statement came hours after Jaishankar met Blinken at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the US State Department.
They held discussions covering a range of issues including the situation in West Asia. In a post on X, Jaishankar said he was “delighted to hold talks” with Blinken. “We followed up on the Delaware bilateral and Quad meetings. Our discussions also covered deepening bilateral cooperation, situation in West Asia, recent developments in the Indian subcontinent, the Indo-Pacific and Ukraine,” he said.
Blinken said the US and India are “working to address regional and global challenges”. He said Jaishankar and he met to “discuss our continued cooperation on the climate crisis and ways we can promote regional security and prosperity”.
Jaishankar also met NSA Sullivan on Wednesday. In a post on X, he said he had a “great meeting” with Sullivan and they had “as always, a productive conversation on bilateral cooperation and good insights into global politics”.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Rosh Hashanah, the new year in Judaism. “Best wishes on Rosh Hashanah to my friend PM Netanyahu, the people of Israel and the Jewish community across the world. May the new year bring peace, hope and good health in everyone’s life. Shana Tova!” he said.
The MEA also issued a travel advisory on Iran for Indian nationals. “We are closely monitoring the recent escalation in the security situation in the region. Indian nationals are advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Iran. Those currently residing in Iran are requested to remain vigilant and stay in contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran,” it said, a day after the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv had issued a security advisory for Indians in Israel.
India’s moves come close on the heels of many Western nations ramping up contingency plans to evacuate citizens from Lebanon after a sharp escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, coupled with Iran’s missile attack on Israel. The contingency planning and travel advisories are being issued by the US, UK, France, Germany, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Greece, Italy among others.
On Tuesday, Jaishankar said India is “very much concerned” at the “possibility of a broadening of the conflict” in the region, including what happens “between Iran and Israel”.
Speaking at a Carnegie event in Washington DC, Jaishankar, while responding to a question on the ongoing conflict in West Asia, said India regards October 7, 2023 as a “terrorist attack” and understands that Israel needed to respond.
“But, we also believe that any response by any country has to take into account international humanitarian law, that it must be careful about any damage or any implications for civilian populations. Given what has happened in Gaza, it is important to have some kind of international humanitarian effort out there,” he said.
“We are very much 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 you know, to some extent, anything that happens between Iran and Israel,” he said.
“If as part of that concern, you can end up doing something about it. Again, don’t underestimate the importance of communication in difficult times. If there are things to be said and passed on and passed back, I think those are all contributions that we can make and we do,” he said.
In its advisory, the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv said: “In view of the prevailing situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to stay vigilant and adhere to the safety protocols as advised by the local authorities.” It also asked all Indian nationals to register with the embassy.
“Please exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel within the country and stay close to safety shelters. The embassy is closely monitoring the situation and remains in regular touch with the Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of all our nationals,” it said.
