MEA says any disruption to oil, shipping routes will have serious consequences
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New Delhi: As the conflict in West Asia widened following US-Israel strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation, India on Tuesday voiced serious concern over risks to its trade, energy security and the safety of nearly one crore Indian nationals living in the region.
In its second statement since February 28, the Ministry of External Affairs reiterated India’s call for “dialogue and diplomacy”, saying New Delhi has critical stakes in the region’s security and stability and that current developments “evoke great anxiety”.
The MEA said the conflict has intensified and spread to other countries, leading to mounting deaths and disruption of normal life and economic activity. It stressed that the safety and well-being of Indian nationals in West Asia is of “utmost priority”.
Iran’s decision to block the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route, has triggered a surge in oil prices. The strait handles nearly 20 per cent of global oil and gas supplies, and about 50 per cent of India’s crude imports, or roughly 2.6 million barrels per day, pass through it.
