India is focused on ensuring peace and stability in West Asia in view of its economic and security interests in the region, people familiar with India’s developments said on Wednesday that Iran fired missiles at Iraqi targets, which are home to US personnel.
Iran fired more than a dozen ballistic missiles at al-Assad airbase in Al Anbar and on Friday had another base in Erbil in retaliation for the assassination of top Iranian general Qasim Soleimani in an American drone attack. US and Iraqi officials said there were no immediate reports of casualties.
“India’s efforts remain focused on peace and stability in the region and this is reflected in the outreach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in recent times to all key players,” a person refused to identify.
Friday’s statement said, “a senior Iranian leader has been killed by the US” and added: “The escalation of tensions has worried the world. Peace, stability, and security in the region are of utmost importance to India. It is important that the situation does not escalate. India has consistently advocated restraint.
Since Sunday, Jaishankar has spoken to both US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Iranian Foreign Minister Jawad Zarif and foreign ministers of the UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Jordan to discuss ways to reduce tensions and work on de-escalation. PM Modi also discussed the issue with US President Donald Trump during a phone call on Tuesday.
India’s efforts are aimed at ensuring energy security and protecting the interests of some 8 million migrants from West Asia, including more than 2.5 million in Saudi Arabia alone. Any confrontation between Iran and the US is bound to affect sea lanes in the Persian Gulf and oil prices and supplies.
New Delhi is also stuck in a fragile situation given its good relations with both Tehran and Washington.
Following the Iranian missile attacks, the Foreign Ministry issued a travel advisory, which called on Indian citizens to “avoid all non-essential travel from Iraq until further notification”.
It said: “Indian citizens living in Iraq are advised to be vigilant and avoid traveling within Iraq. Our embassy in Baghdad and the consulate in Erbil will continue to function normally to provide all services to Indians living in Iraq. ”
Experts also explicitly welcomed what was indicated by the US and Iranian leadership about possible de-escalation.
“All is well! Missiles were launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessing casualties and losses now. All is well so far! We have the most powerful and well-equipped army anywhere in the world, So far! I’m making a statement tomorrow morning, “Trump tweeted.
The Iranian foreign minister tweeted that his country took self-defense measures and “concluded” and did not “seek growth”.
Zarif said: “Iran took proportional measures in self-defense and concluded under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter Targeting, of which there was a cowardly armed attack against our civilians and senior officials.
“We do not seek growth or war, but will defend ourselves against any invasion.”
Trump has also returned to a prewar threat after widespread condemnation of his remarks at Iranian cultural sites around the world.