India Urges West Asia De-escalation, Diplomacy for Peace Amid Heightened Tensions

India has called for an immediate de-escalation of the conflict in West Asia, emphasizing diplomacy as the path to restoring peace and stability. The Ministry of External Affairs voiced deep concern over recent attacks, highlighting the immense human suffering and the debilitating impact on the global economy and energy supplies that the conflict, now over 100 days old, has caused.

"We call on all parties to immediately de-escalate tensions, ensure that civilians are not harmed and conclude ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region," the ministry stated. This plea follows a sharp escalation in hostilities over the past 24 hours, involving kinetic engagements, airstrikes on strategic installations, and heavy projectile exchanges across the region.

The situation has been further complicated by the Iran-backed Houthis announcing a ban on Israeli shipping in the Red Sea, a critical maritime route. These developments threaten to derail diplomatic efforts, including those by US President Donald Trump, aimed at establishing a comprehensive nuclear deal with Tehran and ending the war that began on February 28.

The renewed hostilities between Israel and Iran, marking the war's 100th day, have jeopardized an already fragile truce and risk igniting a wider regional conflict. The foundational breakdown of the cross-border truce infrastructure escalated after Israeli airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, which led to retaliatory strikes from Iran on Israel, and subsequently to Monday's attacks and counterattacks.

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We call on all parties to immediately de-escalate tensions, ensure that civilians are not harmed and conclude ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region