New Delhi

On Wednesday, India expressed its deep concern over the worsening security situation in West Asia, urging all parties to exercise restraint. The statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) came after Iran launched an attack on Israel the previous night. Although the statement did not name specific countries, it highlighted the increasing tensions throughout the Middle East and called for the protection of civilians.

India emphasized the need to prevent the conflict from escalating into a broader regional issue and encouraged addressing all matters through dialogue and diplomacy. Recently, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed the geopolitical situation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi during the BRICS meeting in New York.

In light of the crisis, the MEA issued a travel advisory for Indian citizens, recommending they avoid all non-essential travel to Iran. The advisory also urged Indians already in Iran to remain alert and maintain contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran. The tensions escalated after Iran fired around 200 missiles at Israel, claiming to target military and security sites. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran acts in defense of its interests and warned against provoking conflict. With Israel promising retaliation, the situation in the region is poised to become even more volatile.