Prime Minister Narendra Modi early Monday spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as tensions escalated sharply in West Asia following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader and retaliatory strikes across the region.
In a post on X, Modi said, “Had a telephone call with PM Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the current regional situation. Conveyed India’s concerns over recent developments and emphasised the safety of civilians as a priority. India reiterates the need for an early cessation of hostilities.”
The outreach came hours after Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the country’s highest decision-making body on security and strategic affairs. The meeting was held shortly after his return to New Delhi from a two-day tour of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
According to sources, the CCS reviewed the fast-evolving situation following the attack on Iran by the United States and Israel and the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Senior ministers including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended the meeting, along with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other top officials.
The discussions are understood to have focused on the safety of Indian nationals in the region and contingency plans should the conflict intensify further. Nearly 10,000 Indians live in Iran, over 40,000 in Israel and about nine million across West Asia and the Gulf.
Airspace across much of the region remains disrupted. Hundreds of Indians are reportedly stranded in Dubai, Doha and other major transit hubs after flight services were affected by the military escalation.
The CCS is also believed to have assessed the impact of Iran’s reported closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route for Indian oil imports.
The Ministry of External Affairs said Indian missions in the region are in constant contact with nationals, and helplines have been activated.
Modi’s call with Netanyahu followed his earlier conversation with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during which he condemned recent attacks on the United Arab Emirates and expressed solidarity.
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