New Delhi, July 31: India has urged Iran to prevent any attacks on commercial vessels and seafarers as tensions continue to rise across West Asia. During a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stressed the need to safeguard maritime trade routes and avoid any action that could further destabilise the region.
Sharing details of the discussion on social media, Jaishankar said he conveyed India’s deep concern over the ongoing hostilities and called for restraint. He emphasised that commercial shipping and civilian seafarers must remain protected under all circumstances, adding that India condemns attacks on such targets regardless of the party responsible.
The external affairs minister also noted that Araghchi briefed him on Iran’s assessment of the evolving situation and the diplomatic engagements currently underway. Reaffirming New Delhi’s long-standing position, Jaishankar said India continues to support dialogue and diplomatic efforts as the only sustainable path to resolving regional conflicts.
The conversation comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States remain high, raising concerns over the security of vital international shipping lanes, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz. India has repeatedly expressed worries over disruptions to maritime traffic, given the strategic importance of the route for global energy supplies and trade.
Meanwhile, the government informed Parliament that the ongoing conflict in West Asia has taken a heavy toll on Indian citizens working in the region. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh told the Rajya Sabha that 16 Indians, including 10 seafarers, have lost their lives since the conflict began earlier this year, while 75 others have sustained injuries.
According to the minister, the fatalities were reported from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates. The injured include Indian nationals in the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Israel, highlighting the widespread impact of the conflict across the region.
Singh also clarified that another 12 Indian nationals died in an unrelated industrial accident at the Ras Laffan Gas Facility in Qatar in June, where an explosion and fire claimed several lives. The incident was not linked to the ongoing regional hostilities.
India has maintained close contact with countries in the region while monitoring the security situation and extending assistance to affected citizens. New Delhi continues to advocate de-escalation through diplomatic engagement, while also stressing the importance of ensuring the safety of international shipping and Indian nationals working overseas.