New Delhi, March 14 Amid escalating tensions in West Asia, India on Saturday said it has maintained contact with key players, including the Gulf Cooperation Council, Iran, the US, and Israel, with a primary focus on safeguarding its energy security.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that in addition to advocating for dialogue and diplomacy, India has consistently emphasized the need to ensure the unimpeded transit of goods and energy supplies through the region.
Aseem Mahajan, an additional secretary in the ministry, said that five Indian nationals have lost their lives and one remains missing in the ongoing conflict. He said that around 172,000 Indians have returned to India since February 28, the day the hostilities began.
"We have also called for avoiding targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, across the region. We believe that these are the priorities of a large part of the global community, as the impact of the conflict is being felt globally," Jaiswal said.
Global oil and gas prices have surged after Iran has virtually blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping lane between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, which handles approximately 20 per cent of global oil and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas).
West Asia has been a major source of India's energy procurement.
"As you would be aware, we are dealing with a very complex situation concerning the active conflict zone," Jaiswal said.
"Nevertheless, we have remained in touch with all important interlocutors, including all members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Iran, the US, and Israel, at various political and diplomatic levels, in an effort to communicate our priorities, especially concerning our energy security," he said.
Both Jaiswal and Mahajan made the remarks at a media briefing.
The external affairs ministry spokesperson also made a mention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's phone conversations with several of his counterparts in West Asia in the last few days.
The external affairs minister and our embassies have also been in close contact with their interlocutors, he said.
"As a result of these multiple contacts with all concerned, some ships destined for India have been able to cross through the Strait of Hormuz.
"Two Indian ships, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, have crossed the Strait of Hormuz and are now headed to ports in India," Jaiswal said.
"Several of our ships remain in the Gulf region," he said.
"We propose to continue to remain in touch and coordinate with all concerned countries to ensure a safe and unimpeded transit for them in an effort to ensure our energy security," he added.