Mar 09, New Delhi — External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar briefed the Rajya Sabha on Monday about the evolving situation in West Asia, stating that the Government of India has been in close contact with countries in the region to protect the interests of Indian nationals.
He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to several regional leaders, including the President of the United Arab Emirates, the Amir of Qatar, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, the Crown Prince of Kuwait, the King of Bahrain, the Sultan of Oman, the King of Jordan, and the Prime Minister of Israel.
Additionally, these leaders have assured that the well-being of the Indian community will remain a priority for their governments, the minister said.
EAM Jaishankar also added that he has remained in close contact with his counterparts in these countries, while India has maintained regular diplomatic engagement with the United States.
Addressing concerns related to energy supply, the minister said that the government remains committed to ensuring India’s energy security while factoring in availability, costs, and risks in global energy markets. He said that the interests of Indian consumers will always remain the overriding priority and that Indian diplomacy has supported the efforts of energy enterprises during the current volatile situation.
Lastly, EAM Jaishankar outlined three guiding principles of India’s approach: advocating peace through dialogue and diplomacy, ensuring the safety and welfare of the Indian community in the region, and safeguarding national interests, including energy security and trade.