Modi dials leaders of France, Oman & Malaysia, bats for peace restoration
NEW DELHI, March 19: As fresh attacks on West Asian gas hubs triggered global concerns, India on Thursday said the strikes are “unacceptable and need to cease” even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to top leaders of Oman, France and Malaysia, emphasising the urgency to restore peace in the volatile region.
New Delhi described the attacks on the gas infrastructure as “deeply disturbing” and that assaults will only serve to further destabilise an already uncertain energy market globally.
An Israeli attack on Iran’s strategic gas fields of South Pars resulted in an intense Iranian retaliation on key energy infrastructure in several Gulf nations including Qatar’s LNG (liquefied natural gas) hub of Ras Laffan.
Qatar accounts for nearly 40 per cent of India’s LNG requirement.
“India had previously called for the avoidance of targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, across the region,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing.
“The recent attacks against energy installations in different locations across this region are therefore deeply disturbing and only serve to further destabilise an already uncertain energy scenario for the whole world,” he said.
“Such attacks are unacceptable and need to cease,” Jaiswal said without naming any country.
The fresh attacks resulted in a further spike in global energy prices, with crude oil prices hitting USD 115 a barrel.
As concerns mounted over the escalating situation in West Asia, PM Modi spoke to Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, French President Emmanuel Macron and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
In his conversation with the Omani Sultan, Modi also spoke about the need for free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically key shipping lane.
“We agreed on the need to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy for de-escalation and subsequent restoration of peace and stability,” the prime minister said on social media.
Modi also reiterated India’s condemnation of the violation of Oman’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and appreciated the Gulf nation’s efforts to facilitate the safe return of thousands of people, including Indian nationals.
“India and Oman stand for safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz,” Modi said.
Oman is among the Gulf nations bearing the brunt of Iranian retaliation following strikes by Israel and the US on Iranian targets.
Following his phone conversation with Macron on the situation in West Asia, Modi said there is an “urgent need for de-escalation, as well as a return to dialogue and diplomacy”.
“We look forward to continuing our close coordination to advance peace and stability in the region and beyond,” he said.
After speaking to Ibrahim, Modi said: “We also discussed the deeply concerning situation in West Asia and reaffirmed our shared commitment to de-escalation and the early restoration of peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy.” (PTI)
