EAM briefs Parliament on West Asia conflict
The Union Government on Monday said India favours dialogue and diplomacy for ensuring peace in West Asia and its overriding priority is the wellbeing of the Indian community in that region. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar made a suo motu statement on the conflict in the Lok Sabha. He also informed the House that national interest, including energy security and trade flows, are paramount for the Government.
Speaking amid loud slogans by opposition MPs demanding a full-fledged discussion, the minister, who had addressed the Rajya Sabha earlier in the morning, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to closely monitor emerging developments and the relevant ministries are coordinating to ensure effective responses.
The Government also informed the Parliament that Iran had sought India’s permission for three of its ships to dock at Indian ports and the approval was granted the next day.
In a statement in the Parliament, Jaishankar said one Iranian vessel, IRIS LAVAN, docked in Kochi on March 4 and its crew members are currently staying in Indian naval facilities. It was for the first time a senior minister said that Iran requested for docking of three of its ships in Indian ports.
“In view of the implications of this conflict for our energy security, I also seek to address that particular concern. The Government remains committed to ensuring that fully, taking into account the availability, costs and risks of the energy markets,” Jaishankar added.
“For us, the interest of the Indian consumer has and will always be the overriding priority. Where required, Indian diplomacy has supported the endeavours of our energy enterprises in this volatile situation,” he said.
The external affairs minister also presented details of the advisories issued by Indian embassies in Israel, Iran, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia between February 28 and March 8 in view of the situation in West Asia.
The EAM noted that one crore Indian citizens live and work in the Gulf nations. “In Iran too, there are a few thousand Indians who are there for study and employment. The region is key to our energy security and includes many important suppliers of oil and gas,” he said.
