PM Modi speaks with Iran President, flags assaults on power infra, delivery lanes | India Information
Because the conflict in West Asia entered its fourth week with no indicators of a let-up, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday, flagging rising considerations over assaults on “vital infrastructure” and the significance of “safeguarding freedom of navigation.”
Tehran, for its half, made it clear that an “quick cessation of aggressions” by US and Israel was a “pre-requisite for ending the conflict.”
Within the name, Modi’s second with Pezeshkian for the reason that conflict erupted on February 28, the PM’s reference to “vital infrastructure” pointed to the continuing assaults on oil and fuel amenities whereas “freedom of navigation” alluded to the Strait of Hormuz, at present underneath Iranian chokehold.
After the dialog, Modi wrote on X: “Spoke with President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian and conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings. We expressed hope that this festive season brings peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia. Condemned assaults on vital infrastructure within the area, which threaten regional stability and disrupt international provide chains. Reiterated the significance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and making certain that delivery lanes stay open and safe.” He additionally acknowledged Tehran’s cooperation on “the security and safety of Indian nationals in Iran.”
Of the estimated 9,000 Indians in Iran earlier than the conflict started, the Indian Embassy has facilitated the evacuation of 913 nationals — 793 to Armenia and 120 to Azerbaijan. All 284 Indian pilgrims stranded in Iran have since returned house safely.
The Iranian readout of the decision stated that President Pezeshkian outlined what he described because the “dimensions of the aggression, illegal assaults, and crimes dedicated by the US and the Zionist regime,” stressing that “Iran didn’t provoke the conflict.”
In keeping with the readout, he stated the aggressor had, “with none justification, logic or authorized foundation, launched navy assaults in opposition to Iran throughout ongoing nuclear negotiations, ensuing within the martyrdom of the Supreme Chief of the Islamic Revolution, senior navy commanders, and numerous defenceless civilians, together with harmless schoolchildren.”
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Iran particularly accused the US of focusing on a college in Minab “from bases positioned in neighbouring international locations internet hosting US navy installations, resulting in the tragic martyrdom of 168 harmless schoolchildren.”
On the nuclear query — cited by Washington as justification for its navy motion — Pezeshkian pushed again, in response to the assertion.
He careworn that in a number of conferences, the Supreme Chief had “firmly opposed nuclear weapons and had issued each administrative and spiritual directives prohibiting any transfer towards their improvement.” The reference was to a fatwa issued by former Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in opposition to creating nuclear weapons.
Pezeshkian additionally reiterated Iran’s “constant readiness to have interaction in each phone and in-person dialogues with world leaders… for the aim of verification and acceptance of oversight over its peaceable nuclear actions.”
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Trying forward, the Iranian president proposed “the institution of a regional safety framework composed of nations of West Asia, aimed toward making certain peace and stability within the area via regional cooperation with out international interference.” He added: “A prerequisite for ending the conflict and battle within the area is the quick cessation of aggressions by the US and Israel, together with ensures in opposition to their recurrence sooner or later.”
Pezeshkian additionally known as on India, as present chair of BRICS, to make use of the grouping’s platform to push again in opposition to the assaults on Iran. New Delhihowever, has been unable to safe a consensus BRICS assertion provided that Iran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are all members of the bloc.
Exterior Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, in the meantime, held his fifth dialog with Iranian International Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi for the reason that conflict started, conserving the diplomatic channel heat even because the battle deepens.
Thus far, Prime Minister has personally spoken to: President of UAE Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan; Amir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani; Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman; Crown Prince of Kuwait Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah; King of Bahrain Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa; Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq Al Mentioned; King of Jordan Abdullah II and Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu. He condemned assaults by Iran on these international locations.
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In his first dialog on March 12 with Pezeshkian for the reason that conflict started, Modi had mentioned the “severe state of affairs” within the area and expressed “deep concern” over the escalation of stress and the lack of civilian lives in addition to injury to civilian infrastructure. He had urged for dialogue and diplomacy and had raised considerations over safety of Indian nationals and the motion of maritime visitors.
India has been engaged with Iran on the diplomatic stage for the secure passage of Indian ships via the Strait of Hormuz, which helped its two LPG tankers — Shivalik and Nanda Devi —to transit the strait. It at present has 22 service provider vessels caught within the Persian Gulf, and a majority of these are oil and fuel tankers.
These conversations body the diplomatic tightrope that Delhi has been navigating for the reason that conflict began. Depending on Israel for defence and safety partnership and with a 1-crore diaspora within the Gulf, it’s drawing on its strategic partnerships with many Gulf international locations and historic ties with Iran to safe its pursuits within the area.
