Situation in West Asia deeply concerning, India in touch with both Israel and Iran: EAM Jaishankar
| 2024-11-25
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addresses the 10th Rome Mediterranean Dialogue on November 25, 2024.
Given India’s capacity to engage various parties, it is always willing to contribute meaningfully to any international diplomatic endeavours, says EAM Jaishankar
India has been in regular touch with both Israel and Iran to advocate restraint, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar said in Rome, Italy on Monday (November 25, 2024) as he described the situation in the Middle East (West Asia) as deeply concerning.
Addressing the 10th edition of the Rome Mediterranean Dialogue, he said that given India’s capacity to engage various parties, it was always willing to contribute meaningfully to any international diplomatic endeavours.
In Lebanon, there was an Indian contingent as part of UNIFIL. In the Gulf of Aden and the northern Arabian sea, Indian naval ships have been deployed since last year to protect commercial shipping, EAM Jaishankar pointed out.
Referring to increasing concerns on the widening of the West Asia conflict, he said, “We have been in regular touch with both Israel and Iran at the highest levels to advocate restraint and enhance communication”.
According to EAM Jaishankar, addressing the conflict in Ukraine, which is into its third year, is the other urgent imperative. “The continuation of this conflict has serious destabilizing consequences, including for the Mediterranean. What is clear is that no solution is going to emerge from the battlefield. India has consistently held the view that disputes in this era cannot be settled by war. There must be a return to dialogue and diplomacy; the sooner the better,” he stated.
He pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally engaged leaders of both Russia and Ukraine to this end, including during visits to Moscow and Kyiv. “Our senior officials remain in continuous touch. We firmly believe that those who have the ability to explore finding common ground must step up to that responsibility,” he added.
India's Strong Connections With Mediterranean Region, West Asia
According to EAM Jaishankar, the IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor) that was announced in September 2023 can be a game changer. In his remarks, EAM Jaishankar also laid emphasis on India’s strong links with West Asia and the Mediterranean region.
On the Mediterranean region, he noted: India's annual trade with the Mediterranean nations is about USD 80 billion, with key interests in fertilisers, energy, water technology, diamonds, defence and cyber. India has significant projects underway as airports, ports, railway, steel, green hydrogen, phosphates and submarine cables. “Our political relations with the Mediterranean are strong and our defence collaboration is growing including more exercises and exchanges,” he said.
About the Middle East (West Asia), he stated: India’s trade with the Gulf alone is in the range of 160-180 billion USD annually. The rest of MENA (Middle East and North Africa) adds another USD 20 billion. More than 9 million Indians live and work in the Middle East. Whether it is energy, technology, industrial projects or services, India has big stakes. “It is also a region to which we are connected in history, culture and security,” he pointed out.
“For these very reasons, you may expect India’s presence and activities to grow, especially as we move from being the fifth largest economy in the world to the third. The Mediterranean presents both opportunities and risks in an uncertain and volatile world,” he explained.
Addressing the 10th edition of the Rome Mediterranean Dialogue, he said that given India’s capacity to engage various parties, it was always willing to contribute meaningfully to any international diplomatic endeavours.
In Lebanon, there was an Indian contingent as part of UNIFIL. In the Gulf of Aden and the northern Arabian sea, Indian naval ships have been deployed since last year to protect commercial shipping, EAM Jaishankar pointed out.
Referring to increasing concerns on the widening of the West Asia conflict, he said, “We have been in regular touch with both Israel and Iran at the highest levels to advocate restraint and enhance communication”.
According to EAM Jaishankar, addressing the conflict in Ukraine, which is into its third year, is the other urgent imperative. “The continuation of this conflict has serious destabilizing consequences, including for the Mediterranean. What is clear is that no solution is going to emerge from the battlefield. India has consistently held the view that disputes in this era cannot be settled by war. There must be a return to dialogue and diplomacy; the sooner the better,” he stated.
He pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally engaged leaders of both Russia and Ukraine to this end, including during visits to Moscow and Kyiv. “Our senior officials remain in continuous touch. We firmly believe that those who have the ability to explore finding common ground must step up to that responsibility,” he added.
India's Strong Connections With Mediterranean Region, West Asia
According to EAM Jaishankar, the IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor) that was announced in September 2023 can be a game changer. In his remarks, EAM Jaishankar also laid emphasis on India’s strong links with West Asia and the Mediterranean region.
On the Mediterranean region, he noted: India's annual trade with the Mediterranean nations is about USD 80 billion, with key interests in fertilisers, energy, water technology, diamonds, defence and cyber. India has significant projects underway as airports, ports, railway, steel, green hydrogen, phosphates and submarine cables. “Our political relations with the Mediterranean are strong and our defence collaboration is growing including more exercises and exchanges,” he said.
About the Middle East (West Asia), he stated: India’s trade with the Gulf alone is in the range of 160-180 billion USD annually. The rest of MENA (Middle East and North Africa) adds another USD 20 billion. More than 9 million Indians live and work in the Middle East. Whether it is energy, technology, industrial projects or services, India has big stakes. “It is also a region to which we are connected in history, culture and security,” he pointed out.
“For these very reasons, you may expect India’s presence and activities to grow, especially as we move from being the fifth largest economy in the world to the third. The Mediterranean presents both opportunities and risks in an uncertain and volatile world,” he explained.
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