NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke spoke to the King of Bahrain Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed Bin Salman, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday as West Asia plunged deeper into crisis following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli strike and Tehran’s sweeping missile retaliation across the region.
During his conversation with Mohammed bin Salman, who also serves as Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Modi agreed that the “earliest restoration of regional peace and stability is of utmost importance.” He condemned attacks targeting Saudi territory and reiterated India’s solidarity.
A similar message was conveyed to Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, with Modi denouncing strikes on the kingdom and reviewing the safety of the Indian community there. He also spoke with Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, condemning attacks and calling for de-escalation through dialogue and diplomacy.
In his call with Netanyahu, Modi conveyed India’s concern over the spiralling conflict and pressed for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
“Had a telephone call with PM Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the current regional situation. Conveyed India’s concerns over recent developments and emphasised the safety of civilians as a priority. India reiterates the need for an early cessation of hostilities,” Modi posted on twitter.
The conversation came hours after Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to review the fast-evolving military situation and assess contingency plans for Indian nationals in the region.
The crisis has triggered missile exchanges beyond Israel and Iran, with strikes reported across parts of the Gulf, raising fears of a broader regional conflagration. With nearly ten million Indians living across West Asia and the Gulf, the developments carry immediate security implications for New Delhi.
Earlier, speaking alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Modi reiterated India’s consistent position that conflicts must be resolved through dialogue. The CCS meeting was attended by senior ministers and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, with discussions focused on evacuation readiness and maritime security after a drone attack on the tanker MV VYOM in the Gulf of Oman killed an Indian mariner.
