Jaishankar talks to Israel, Iran over hostilities

Jaishankar also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Hussain Amir Abdullahian. (document)

New Delhi:

Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar spoke on the phone with his Israeli counterpart Israel Katz on Sunday and expressed India’s concerns about the hostilities between Iran and Iraq.

On April 1, Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles in response to a suspected Israeli attack on its consulate in Damascus, its first direct attack on Israel.

“Just concluded a conversation with Israel FM @Israel_katz. Shared our concerns about yesterday’s developments. Discussed larger regional situation. Agreed to stay in touch,” S Jaishankar said on ‘X’.

In response, India called for immediate de-escalation and said its embassy in the region was in close contact with Indian communities in the region.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) said: “We are seriously concerned about the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran, which threatens peace and security in the region.”

“We call for immediate de-escalation, exercise of restraint, an end to violence and a return to the path of diplomacy,” the statement said.

The MEA stated that India is paying close attention to the evolution of the situation in West Asia.

“We are closely monitoring the developments. Our embassies in the region are in close contact with the Indian community,” the MEA said in a statement.

“Maintaining security and stability in the region is vital,” the statement added.

Jaishankar also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Hussain Amir Abdullahian.

After Iran launched the attack, the Israeli military said it and its allies had intercepted most of the more than 300 drones and missiles launched by Iran.

U.S. President Joe Biden said the U.S. military helped Israel shoot down nearly all incoming drones and missiles launched by Iran.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)