With the West Asia conflict morphing into attacks on vital energy infrastructure, India on Thursday termed such attacks “unacceptable” and called for them to cease. PM Modi also dialled the leaders of Qatar, France, Jordan, Oman, Malaysia to discuss the situation.
In a statement, the Indian government said that attacks against energy installations cause further disturbance in the energy scenario for the entire world.
The statement read:
“India had previously called for the avoidance of targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, across the region.
“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.
“Such attacks are unacceptable and need to cease.”
India’s statement came a day after Israel attacked Iran’s vast South Pars natural gas field, and Tehran retaliated with attacks on Qatar’s gas field and on Israel’s Haifa field.
PM Modi dialled several world leaders amid the escalating situation.
On his talk with the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the PM said
he conveyed warm Eid greetings to him and the people of Qatar.
“Reiterated that we stand in solidarity with Qatar and strongly condemn the attacks on the region’s energy infrastructure.” He also expressed gratitude for the care and support provided to the Indian community and hoped for peace and stability to prevail in the region. “We stand for safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz,” the PM said.
On his talk with the King of Jordan Abdullah II, the PM said he conveyed advance Eid wishes. “We expressed concern at the evolving situation in West Asia and highlighted the need for dialogue and diplomacy for the early restoration of peace, security and stability in the region. Attacks on energy infrastructure in West Asia are condemnable and can lead to avoidable escalation.
“India and Jordan stand in support of unhindered transit of goods and energy,” he said, and also appreciated Jordan’s help in facilitating the safe return of Indians stranded in the region.
On his talk with the President of France Emmanuel Macron, the PM said the two leaders spoke on the situation in West Asia and the 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.”
Macron said in a post on X that “India and France are working closely together to reduce tensions in the region and to keep diplomacy at the heart of our efforts for peace.”
Separately, Macron called for the opening of a path towards de-escalation in order to restore stability in the Middle East.
“France calls for the immediate implementation of a moratorium on strikes targeting civilian infrastructure, whether related to water or to energy. Freedom and security of navigation must be restored.”
He called for tempers to cool and hostilities to cease, “in order to give a real chance to the prospect of a negotiated and sustainable solution”.
On his talk with the PM of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim, PM Modi said he conveyed warm greetings on the occasion of the upcoming festival of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
The two leaders 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”.
He also spoke with the Oman Sultan, Haitham bin Tariq, and conveyed advance Eid greetings.
“We agreed on the need to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy for de-escalation and subsequent restoration of peace and stability. Reiterated India’s condemnation of the violation of Oman’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and appreciated Oman’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.”
Within hours of the South Pars strike, Iranian missiles hit Ras Laffan, the site of Qatar’s core liquefied natural gas processing facilities, causing “extensive damage”, Qatar’s state gas company said.
Iran’s state media has warned that prominent regional oil and gas targets belonging to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar were now “direct and legitimate targets”, including Saudi Arabia’s Samref refinery, and the Jubail petrochemical complex, as well as the UAE’s al-Hosn gasfield and Qatar’s Mesaieed petrochemical complex.
On Thursday, an Iranian missile fragment hit Israel’s Haifa oil refinery. Iranian state TV said the strike was “revenge” for the attack on South Pars gas field.
The West Asia conflict has led to shortage of cooking gas supplies, while the government has stressed it is doing all it can to ensure uninterrupted domestic supplies.
Separately, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on the West Asia situation. The Israeli FM said he briefed Jaishankar “on developments in our operation against the Iranian terror regime. “I said that the regime is carrying out naval terrorism in the Strait of Hormuz. This is not an American or Israeli issue, it’s a fundamental problem affecting world order and the global economy. If this grave phenomenon is not addressed now, it could spread worldwide.
“I also addressed the Iranian regime’s aggression toward other countries in the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Europe. I emphasized that the Iranian regime is acting madly. “We value our special strategic partnership with India, the world’s largest democracy.”
