EAM: Seeking strategies to defuse the situation in West Asia

S Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs, said on Monday that the situation in West Asia is “very sensitive.”

He informed the assembled media that he had spoken with his colleagues in Iran and Israel to reduce tensions in the area, which is critical to the world economy. We acknowledge their worries as well.

We would want to find means of de-escalating the situation there, both for India and the rest of the globe, he added. Ninety lakh Indians reside in this very delicate area. Both our main oil supply and a significant portion of our shipments go via this area,” he said.

Jaishankar claimed he had discussed the release of 17 Indian crew members from a cargo vessel that the Iranian military had arrested close to the Strait of Hormuz with his Iranian counterpart.

A world leader with Modi’s courage to make the right choices: Jaishankar

Jaishankar conveyed to his Iranian counterpart that the Indian crew members need to be freed.

He claimed that the Indian Embassy and the Iranian authorities have had some follow-up talks. “I want representatives from our embassy to visit there and interact with these folks. My initial source of enjoyment will be that. Second, my colleague in Tehran was quite receptive, and I would definitely push for the folks to return to India as soon as possible (get them),” he said.

“Modi ki guarantee” is paramount (protection), the minister joked, and it is “effective inside and outside the country for all Indians.” He said that this was shown on multiple occasions, including when Indians were rescued from foreign lands during the Covid-19 pandemic, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the Sudanese crisis, etc. Iran announced on Monday that it will allow Indian authorities to meet the 17 crew members after Jaishankar spoke with Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

In response to queries about the growing instability in the world as a result of the protracted wars between Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Palestine, and Iran, Jaishankar said that the “upcoming years are going to be extremely difficult for the world” and that it is “important to strengthen the hands of a strong global leader like Modi.” He has the courage to choose the appropriate course of action.

Regarding the safety of Indian students studying overseas, he said that the government is very concerned about these instances and that the Indian embassies are investigating them. Some students have allegedly died inexplicably.

“It is Modi’s promise to every Indian going abroad. We place a high priority on student welfare, he said, adding that all Indian embassies have been directed to monitor students more closely and provide them with personal safety training.