New Delhi: India advocates de-escalation and return to dialogue and diplomacy, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Monday on the widening West Asia conflict, while stressing respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states in the region.
Making a suo moto statement on the crisis that broke out on February 28, when the US and Israel launched military strikes on Iran and Tehran retaliated with attacks of US positions in the region as well as Israel, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said the safety of Indian nationals as well as national interests such as energy security and trade remain the topmost priority for the government.
India is in favour of peace and urges a return to dialogue and diplomacy. We advocate de-escalation, restraint, and ensuring the safety of civilians,” he said. “The well-being and security of the Indian community in the region is our priority. And our national interests, including energy security and trade, will always remain paramount.”
“The Iranian side had requested permission on February 28 for three ships in the region to dock at our ports. This was accorded on March 1. IRIS Lavan actually docked on March 4,” Jaishankar said.
His remarks came as the government briefed Parliament on developments in West Asia and their implications for India.
According to government sources cited in an earlier ANI report, Iran had approached India requesting urgent docking support for its naval vessel IRIS Lavan, which had developed technical problems while operating in the region.
The report had quoted sources as saying that the request was received on February 28, indicating that docking at Kochi was necessary for technical and logistical arrangements.
India approved the request on March 1, following which the vessel docked at Kochi port on March 4.
The ship has a crew of 183 personnel, who are currently staying at Indian naval facilities in Kochi.
Iran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, had also expressed gratitude to India for providing a safe harbour to the vessel and supporting its crew in difficult circumstances.
“I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the Government of India and the local authorities for their cooperation and humanitarian approach in facilitating the docking of this vessel and supporting its crew,” the envoy told ANI in an interview.
Fathali said the cooperation extended by India reflects the longstanding relations between the two countries.
“The excellent coordination and cooperation of the Indian authorities in these difficult circumstances clearly reflect the long-standing and friendly relations between our two countries,” he added.
Earlier on March 7, speaking at the Raisina Dialogue, Jaishankar had described India’s decision to allow the docking of the Iranian ship as a “humane” move.
The minister said India received a request from the Iranian side regarding the vessel, which was reportedly experiencing difficulties and needed to enter an Indian port.
He noted that the ship took a few days to reach Kochi after the approval was granted.
Jaishankar added that the ship had originally come to the region for naval engagements but was caught in rapidly evolving geopolitical circumstances.
“When they set out and came here, the situation was totally different. They were coming in for a fleet review, and then they got, in a way, caught on the wrong side of events,” he said.
Explaining India’s approach, the minister said the decision was guided by humanitarian considerations.
“So for us, when this ship wanted to come in, and that too in difficulties, I think it was the humane thing to do. And I think we were guided by that principle. I think we did the right thing,” Jaishankar said.
The docking of IRIS Lavan came in the aftermath of an incident involving another Iranian naval vessel, IRIS Dena, which was reportedly torpedoed and sunk by a US submarine in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka.
According to reports, after a distress call from IRIS Dena was received by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo, the Indian Navy launched search and rescue efforts, including deploying maritime patrol aircraft to support operations led by Sri Lanka.
Of the estimated 180 crew members on board the vessel, dozens were reported dead, while several survivors were rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy and admitted to hospitals in Galle.
The developments are unfolding amid rapidly escalating tensions in West Asia following a joint US-Israel military strike on Iran on February 28 that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior leaders.
In retaliation, Iran launched waves of drone and missile attacks targeting American military bases across multiple Arab countries and Israeli assets in the region.
