New Delhi (IANS): External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is closely monitoring the evolving West Asia situation. He stressed that the conflict deeply concerns India because nearly 1 crore Indian citizens live and work in the Gulf region.
At the beginning of the session, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge attempted to raise the issue of Indian nationals dying during the conflict. His remarks triggered protests from the Treasury benches, leading Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan to ask Kharge to conclude and invite the Minister to speak.
Escalating Regional Crisis Addressing the House amid loud Opposition sloganeering, EAM Jaishankar explained that the conflict began following US-Israeli strikes on Iran. These strikes caused widespread destruction and killed several senior leaders of the Islamic regime. The Minister noted that tensions have since spread across several neighboring countries.
“Our government issued a statement on February 20 expressing deep concerns and urging all sides to exercise restraint and prioritize civilian safety,” Jaishankar said. He maintained that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only way to de-escalate tensions and urged all states to respect regional sovereignty.
Diplomacy and Economic Impact The Minister confirmed that the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by PM Modi, has reviewed the challenges facing Indians in the region. The Prime Minister personally spoke to the heads of state of the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, Israel, and Bahrain to urge a reduction in hostilities.
Jaishankar highlighted the region’s critical importance to India:
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Human Cost: Nearly 1 crore Indians work in the Gulf, with thousands more studying in Iran.
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Energy Security: The region remains a vital supplier of oil and gas.
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Trade: Annual trade with the Gulf exceeds $200 billion.
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Maritime Risk: Conflict has disrupted shipping, claiming the lives of two Indian mariners.
Evacuation and Safety Measures The government has issued multiple advisories since the June 2025 conflict. In January, authorities warned citizens against non-essential travel to Iran. By mid-February, the Indian Embassy in Tehran urged nationals to leave via any available transport. Jaishankar confirmed that the government initiated an evacuation process to ensure the safe return of students and workers as the situation deteriorated.
Despite the Minister’s detailed statement, Opposition members continued their protest throughout the proceedings.
