NEW DELHI — In the first direct contact between the two leaders since the conflict began last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian late Thursday night to discuss the escalating crisis in West Asia.
The Prime Minister expressed “deep concern” over the loss of civilian lives and the destruction of infrastructure, reiterating India’s stance on peace, dialogue, and diplomacy.
Key Discussion Points:
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Safety of Nationals: With approximately 1 crore Indians living in the Gulf and 10,000 in Iran, ensuring their security is a top priority for the Indian government.
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Energy Security: India, the world’s second-largest buyer of LPG, is facing significant supply pressure due to the standstill at the Strait of Hormuz, where 90% of its LPG imports typically pass.
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Regional Stability: PM Modi condemned the violation of national sovereignty in the region and urged for an immediate de-escalation of tensions.
Diplomatic Outreach:
This call is part of a broader diplomatic push by India. In the last 10 days, the Prime Minister has spoken with leaders from Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Israel, and Qatar. Simultaneously, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has held multiple rounds of talks with his Iranian counterpart to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels.
While domestic restaurants and vendors have begun feeling the heat of gas shortages, the Prime Minister assured the public there is “no need to panic,” confirming that a high-level committee is currently reviewing measures to boost cooking gas supplies.
