Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks via telephone with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, on Tuesday as they discussed the increasing tension occurring in West Asia and growing concern about the increase in incidents against countries in the Gulf Region as well as the pressing need for stability in West Asia and its critical shipping corridor, the Strait of Hormuz, which carries a significant portion of the world’s energy supply base.
Condemning Violence
Prime Minister Modi expressed his deep outrage over all attacks which have resulted in the killing of people and the destruction of civilian buildings in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in his phone conversation with the UAE President. He shared with the President his ongoing concern for the safety and welfare of innocent people and offered his heartfelt Eid greetings to the President prior to Eid.
As Prime Minister Modi pointed out, India is standing with the UAE in this very difficult time. “We are going to do what is right and work together to bring about the resolution of this situation as quickly as we can so that we will restore peace, security, and stability to the region.” In doing so, he pointed out that the responsibility of the countries in the region as partners to prevent further escalation continues.
Strait of Hormuz: A Strategic Priority
The discussion’s main focus was on navigation safety in the Strait of Hormuz, which is an important waterway for oil & gas deliveries to the main part of the world from Middle Eastern nations. There were recent attacks occurring recently on commercial shipping, causing concern for all countries globally involved – commercial shipping is essential for energy supplies.
They agreed to work together and coordinate efforts to maintain security by not disrupting the flow of marine traffic. Mr Modi expressed he believed/did not think that we could maintain international norms on our behalf unless we conducted some type of diplomacy in co-operation with each region – if we were to provide free use of the marine passage for all individuals.
Ongoing Diplomatic Outreach
Since military operations by the US and Israel against Iran have increased throughout the region, this is the second conversation directly between PM Modi and the President of the UAE. PM Modi also spoke with other leaders from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Israel, and Iran regarding the ongoing situation and working together to resolve this conflict.
The Indian government has expressed its commitment to maintain a constructive dialogue and mediation to try and lower tensions and limit any further loss of life for civilians. Officials in New Delhi are continuing to monitor the developments in the area and are working with other nations in the Gulf to provide assistance for humanitarian as well as security purposes.
Regional Security and International Implications
The West Asian conflict has repercussions for far more than just the participants involved in combat. Attacks against Gulf states and critical maritime chokepoints (e.g., the Strait of Hormuz) have led to large shifts in global energy pricing and also raised questions about the security of international trade routes.
India has shown its willingness to actively engage diplomatically with parties involved in this dispute as part of a larger strategy in regard to security in the region, especially with emphasis on energy security. By maintaining dialogue with many different parties, i.e., all Gulf countries and Iran, India positions itself as a partner that can help facilitate stability while not being actively involved in actual hostilities.
Looking Ahead
Leaders emphasised that collaboration, transparency, and communication will be key to restoring peace. PM Modi and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan agreed on continued cooperation to prevent further escalation and to ensure that commercial and civilian activities remain unharmed.
With multiple nations now engaged in the situation diplomatically, New Delhi aims to contribute to a broader regional framework for peace. The discussions also underscore India’s growing role as a diplomatic interlocutor in West Asia, balancing strategic partnerships while advocating for security, stability, and humanitarian considerations.
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