00:00I rise to apply this house, this august house, of recent developments in West Asia that are cause of deep
00:08concern to all of us.
00:14As Honourable Members are aware, this round of conflict started on 28 February 2026.
00:21It has witnessed not only fighting between Israel and the United States on one side and Iran on the other,
00:28but also attacks on a number of Gulf states.
00:33There have been numerous casualties, including at the leadership level in Iraq,
00:38as well as destruction of infrastructure in the region.
00:46At the very outset, government had issued a statement on 28 February expressing its deep concern
00:54and urging all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritize the safety of civilians.
01:03We believe, and we continue to believe, that dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions and address
01:13underlying issues.
01:16Sir, it is also imperative that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states in the region be respected.
01:24Given the gravity of the situation, the Cabinet Committee of Security, CCS, met on 1 March under the chairmanship of
01:34the Honourable Prime Minister.
01:35It was briefed on the airstrikes in Iran and the subsequent attacks in several Gulf countries.
01:44The CCS was concerned over the safety and security of the Indian community in the region.
01:51It also focused on the implications for regional security and for economic and commercial activities.
01:58The committee was apprised of difficulties faced by Indian travelers transit in the region
02:05and by students appearing for scheduled examinations in these countries.
02:13It directed all concerned ministries and departments to take appropriate measures to respond to these problems.
02:21The Honourable Prime Minister continues to closely monitor emerging developments
02:27and relevant ministries are coordinating to ensure effective responses.
02:32Sir, the conflict has continued to intensify and the security situation in the region has deteriorated significantly.
02:43We have noted that, in fact, the conflict has spread to other nations with mounting destruction and deaths.
02:51Normal life and economic activities in the entire region are visibly affected
02:57and in some cases have come to a halt.
03:01We have therefore reiterated a call on 3 March for dialogue and diplomacy
03:05and spoke up for an early end to the country.
03:09I am confident, Chairman Sir, for the House joins me in expressing our sorrow at the loss of life.
03:17Honourable Chairman Sir, while any development that negatively impacts peace and security in the world is deeply troubling,
03:27this ongoing conflict is an issue of particular concern for India.
03:31We are a neighbouring region and understandably have obvious stakes that West Asia remains stable and peaceful.
03:39There are almost one crore, one crore Indian citizens who live and work in the Gulf nations.
03:48In Iran too, there are a few thousand Indians who are there for study or for employment.
03:57The region is key to our energy security and includes many important suppliers of oil and gas.
04:05Chairman Sir, the Gulf is also a major trade partner, accounting for almost U.S. dollar 200 billion annually.
04:15The House is also aware that in the last decade, there has been significant investment from the region into the
04:22Indian economy.
04:22Therefore, serious supply chain disruptions and climate of instability that we perceive are serious.
04:31What about this includes attacks on merchant shipping where Indian nationals often constitute a large proportion of the crews.
04:42We have, sadly, already lost two Indian marinas and one remains missing in such incidents.
04:50I know that the House joins me in condomment of threats.
04:55Honorable Chairman Sir, government has been assessing the situation in West Asia continuously since the 12-day war in June
05:052020.
05:07We noted the indications of growing tension and cautioned the Indian community in Iran accordingly.
05:14On 5th January, 2026, Indian nationals were advised by the Ministry of External Affairs to avoid non-essential travel to
05:24Iraq.
05:25Those already resident there were urged to register with the embassy, exercise new person and monitor the embassy website and
05:35social media hackers.
05:36A second advisory was issued on 14th January, recreating this advice to avoid travel in even stronger places.
05:46The Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai, in parallel, issued its own advisory on 14th January for Indian seafarers, asking them
05:55to follow embassy advisories and avoid unnecessary movement assured.
06:02Recruitment and shipping companies were asked not to deploy or send Indian seafarers to Iran.
06:10Sir, reflecting our assessment of the evolving situation, the Indian embassy in Tehran issued another advisory on 14th February, urging
06:20Indian nationals, including students, pilgrims, businesspersons and tourists,
06:26to leave Iran to leave Iran by all available means of transport, including commercial flights.
06:33They were asked to contact the embassy for any assistance and provided with 24-7 helpers.
06:40This was again retreated in strong terms through another advisory on 23 February.
06:47Some heeded these advisories and have left the country, however, many others have disregarded them and remain in Iran.
06:58They are also in touch with our fishermen who operate out of Iran.
07:02This was the situation till 28 February 2020.
07:08Once the conflict commenced, the Indian embassy has facilitated the relocation of Indian students, several Indian students, in Tehran to
07:20places outside Tehran.
07:22An advisory update with emergency contact help lines was issued on 3 March.
07:28Similarly, facilitation was extended to pilgrims for their internal movement.
07:33Indian nationals who were in Iran, for business reasons, were assisted to cross over to Armenia and return home.
07:43The embassy in Tehran remains fully operational, in fact, on the highest alert.
07:50They are totally committed to supporting the Indian community in this difficult moment
07:55and in assisting Indian nationals whom I wish to cross international borders.
08:01We've received orders of concern, the Directorate General of Shippen, through an order of 2nd March,
08:08has constituted a quick response team for immediate response, coordination and support functions.
08:14This team will function on a 24-7 basis.
08:19Honorable Chairman, Sir, I would like to inform the House through you.
08:23But every Indian embassy in the region has similarly issued advisories.
08:29So, embassy in Israel did show on 28th February and 1 March,
08:34UAE on 28th February and 5 March,
08:37Bahrain on 28th February,
08:40Qatar on 28th February,
08:42Quraq on 28th February and 5th March,
08:45and Saudi Arabia on 28th February and 8th March,
08:48Oman on 28th February and 5th March.
08:53MEA has set up a dedicated special control room
08:57to monitor the situation and respond to queries.
09:02I will come back to you.
09:03Let him complete his statement.
09:05Let him complete his statement.
09:06You are not allowing him to make the statement.
09:08That is not correct.
09:10Dargaiji, that is not correct.
09:11I allowed you to speak.
09:12Let him complete the statement.
09:14I will come back to you.
09:15Let him complete the statement.
09:17Please, the MEA's latest update on this
09:22was issued on 7th March.
09:24Honorable Chairman, sir,
09:26our diplomats have also worked hard
09:29to assist stranded transit passengers
09:32in hubs like Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi.
09:36They have facilitated international border crossings
09:39for Indian nationals,
09:41including from UAE to Oman,
09:43and from Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain
09:46to Saudi Arabia.
09:48Wherever there has been a partial opening of airspace,
09:52we have approved and undertaken commercial flights,
09:56including non-scheduled flights,
09:58to enable the return of Indian passengers.
10:01Our estimate is that as of yesterday,
10:04almost 67,000 of our nationals have done so.
10:09Sir, I also saw today I was informed
10:13of a handout of information put out
10:18by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
10:20And this tells us of the efforts government is making.
10:23Yesterday, there were 15 inbound flights
10:26operated by Indian carriers,
10:28which arrived in India.
10:30Sorry, on the 7th.
10:31On the 8th, there were 49 flights.
10:34And on the 9th, there are 50 flights.
10:36So I want to assure the House
10:38that every effort is being made,
10:40that those who are stuck in the region,
10:44those who are transit passengers who are there,
10:46those who need to come back urgently
10:48from this region,
10:49we are making every effort for them to do so.
10:52Chairman, sir,
10:54throughout this period,
10:57throughout this period,
10:58government maintained contact,
11:00close contact with relevant countries.
11:02Honorable Prime Minister himself
11:04has spoken to the President of UAE,
11:07the Amir of Qatar,
11:08the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia,
11:10the Crown Prince of Kuwait,
11:12the King of Bahrain,
11:13the Sultan of Oman,
11:15the King of Jordan,
11:16and the Prime Minister of Israel.
11:18In each case,
11:19we received assurances
11:21that the well-being of the Indian community
11:23would be a priority.
11:25for the host government.
11:26I have similarly been in close touch
11:29with my counterparts in these countries.
11:31Insofar as the United States is concerned,
11:34we have maintained regular contacts
11:36through diplomatic channels.
11:38While attempts have been made,
11:40contacts with Iran at the leadership level
11:43are obviously difficult at this time.
11:45I have, however,
11:46spoken to Foreign Minister Araqchi
11:48on 20th February and 5th March, 2026.
11:52We will continue
11:53these high-level conversations
11:55in the coming days.
11:56Sir,
11:57the House will also be interested
11:59in the issue of an Iranian vessel
12:01that is currently docked in Kochi.
12:04The Iranian side
12:05had requested permission
12:07on 28th February
12:08for three ships in the region
12:10to dock at our ports.
12:12This was accorded on 1 March.
12:16IRIS Lawan
12:17actually docked on 4th March
12:19in Kochi.
12:20The crew
12:21is currently
12:22in Indian naval facilities.
12:24We believe
12:25that this was the right thing to do.
12:27And the Iranian
12:29Foreign Minister
12:30has expressed
12:31his country's thanks
12:32for this human gesture.
12:36Honorable Chairman Sir,
12:37in view of the implications
12:39of this conflict
12:40for our energy security,
12:42I also seek to address
12:44that particular concern.
12:45Government remains committed
12:47to ensuring that fully
12:49taking into account
12:51availability,
12:52costs,
12:53and risks
12:54of the energy markets.
12:56For us,
12:57the interests
12:58of the Indian consumer
12:59has and will always
13:02be the overriding priority.
13:03where required,
13:05Indian diplomacy
13:06has supported
13:07the endeavors
13:08of our energy enterprises
13:10in this volatile situation.
13:12Honorable Chairman Sir,
13:13let me conclude
13:14by highlighting
13:15the three guiding factors
13:17of our approach.
13:18One,
13:19India is in favor of peace
13:21and urges
13:22a return to dialogue
13:24and diplomacy.
13:25We advocate
13:26de-escalation,
13:27restraint,
13:28and ensuring
13:29the safety of civilians.
13:31Two,
13:32the well-being
13:33and security
13:33of the Indian community
13:35in the region
13:36is our priority.
13:38We will continue
13:39to work
13:40with the governments
13:40of the region
13:41towards that end.
13:43And three,
13:43our national interest,
13:45including energy security
13:47and trade force,
13:48will always be paramount.
13:50I am confident,
13:51sir,
13:52that the government
13:53has the full support
13:54of this August house
13:55on this matter.
13:56I thank you.
13:57That's great.
13:57Thank you.
13:57Thank you.
13:57झाल झाल
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