The Crossbill News Desk
As hostilities between Iran, the United States and Israel intensify with missile and drone strikes and attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf, India has sharpened its public stance, flagging deep concern over the spiralling fallout for regional stability, global energy flows and its own citizens.
Notably, there has been no public confirmation of any outreach to Iranian leaders, despite India’s longstanding engagement with Tehran, including cooperation on the Chabahar port project aimed at enhancing connectivity to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
On Tuesday (March 3), New Delhi issued a more detailed and somber assessment of the unfolding crisis, underlining the human toll and the mounting economic risks.
The latest statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) marked a clear shift from its February 28 communication, which had been comparatively terse. The earlier note had expressed concern, urged restraint and called for respect for the “sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states”.
That phrase, a standard diplomatic formulation that implicitly applies to cross-border strikes, is notably absent from Tuesday’s statement.
Where the earlier text had called for dialogue to “de-escalate tensions”, the latest statement goes further, with India now calling for “an early end to the conflict”.
Detailing the deterioration since the outbreak of fighting, the MEA said the situation had “deteriorated significantly and continuously” and that violence had extended “to other nations”. It said “destruction and deaths” were mounting “even as normal life and economic activities come to a halt”.
Calling itself “a proximate neighbour with critical stakes in the security and stability of the region”, India said “these developments [to] evoke great anxiety”.
The government also underscored the scale of its exposure, noting that “almost one crore Indian citizens” live and work across the Gulf.
The United Arab Emirates hosts the largest Indian diaspora, estimated at 3.4 to 3.5 million, followed by Saudi Arabia with 2.5 to 3 million and just over one million in Kuwait. Qatar and Oman each account for more than 700,000 Indians, while Bahrain has between 300,000 and 320,000. A majority are employed in construction, retail, hospitality, healthcare and other service sectors.
Indian embassies in the region have issued repeated advisories asking nationals to stay indoors where necessary, register with missions and avoid sensitive areas. Emergency hotlines remain active to support those affected by flight disruptions and border restrictions. Over the past day, limited commercial operations have enabled a gradual return of some stranded Indians.
For the first time, the MEA statement confirmed Indian casualties, which had so far been flagged by individual diplomatic missions, but didn’t directly condemn them.
“Some Indian nationals have lost their lives or are missing as a result of such attacks in the last few days,” the statement said, referring to attacks on merchant shipping. India said it is “firmly opposed” to such attacks.
The government also drew attention to strategic vulnerabilities, warning that “our trade and energy supply chains also traverse this geography” and that “any major disruption has serious consequences for the Indian economy”.
India meets roughly 85% to 90% of its crude oil needs through imports — around 5.5 to 5.6 million barrels per day — with more than a third transported via the Strait of Hormuz. About half of its liquefied natural gas imports move along the same route, including nearly 40% sourced from Qatar under long-term contracts.
Global oil markets have reacted nervously. Benchmark Brent crude crossed $85 per barrel on Tuesday amid supply fears, with analysts cautioning that a blockade of Hormuz could drive prices towards $90 to $100 per barrel, sharply increasing India’s import bill and fuelling inflationary pressures.
The MEA said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S. Jaishankar have been in touch with regional and global counterparts. It described India as “in touch with the Governments of this region as well as other key partners”.
“Government will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation and take relevant decisions in the national interest,” the MEA statement concluded.
New Delhi has also refrained from condemning the US and Israeli strikes on Iran, including the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, even as sections of the domestic opposition have criticised the government’s position.
As the conflict widens and diplomatic channels strain under pressure, India’s calibrated messaging reflects a careful balancing act — safeguarding energy security and the welfare of millions of expatriates while avoiding overt alignment in a rapidly polarising regional crisis.
Notably, there has been no public confirmation of any outreach to Iranian leaders, despite India’s longstanding engagement with Tehran, including cooperation on the Chabahar port project aimed at enhancing connectivity to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
On Tuesday (March 3), New Delhi issued a more detailed and somber assessment of the unfolding crisis, underlining the human toll and the mounting economic risks.
The latest statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) marked a clear shift from its February 28 communication, which had been comparatively terse. The earlier note had expressed concern, urged restraint and called for respect for the “sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states”.
That phrase, a standard diplomatic formulation that implicitly applies to cross-border strikes, is notably absent from Tuesday’s statement.
Where the earlier text had called for dialogue to “de-escalate tensions”, the latest statement goes further, with India now calling for “an early end to the conflict”.
Detailing the deterioration since the outbreak of fighting, the MEA said the situation had “deteriorated significantly and continuously” and that violence had extended “to other nations”. It said “destruction and deaths” were mounting “even as normal life and economic activities come to a halt”.
Calling itself “a proximate neighbour with critical stakes in the security and stability of the region”, India said “these developments [to] evoke great anxiety”.
The government also underscored the scale of its exposure, noting that “almost one crore Indian citizens” live and work across the Gulf.
The United Arab Emirates hosts the largest Indian diaspora, estimated at 3.4 to 3.5 million, followed by Saudi Arabia with 2.5 to 3 million and just over one million in Kuwait. Qatar and Oman each account for more than 700,000 Indians, while Bahrain has between 300,000 and 320,000. A majority are employed in construction, retail, hospitality, healthcare and other service sectors.
Indian embassies in the region have issued repeated advisories asking nationals to stay indoors where necessary, register with missions and avoid sensitive areas. Emergency hotlines remain active to support those affected by flight disruptions and border restrictions. Over the past day, limited commercial operations have enabled a gradual return of some stranded Indians.
For the first time, the MEA statement confirmed Indian casualties, which had so far been flagged by individual diplomatic missions, but didn’t directly condemn them.
“Some Indian nationals have lost their lives or are missing as a result of such attacks in the last few days,” the statement said, referring to attacks on merchant shipping. India said it is “firmly opposed” to such attacks.
The government also drew attention to strategic vulnerabilities, warning that “our trade and energy supply chains also traverse this geography” and that “any major disruption has serious consequences for the Indian economy”.
India meets roughly 85% to 90% of its crude oil needs through imports — around 5.5 to 5.6 million barrels per day — with more than a third transported via the Strait of Hormuz. About half of its liquefied natural gas imports move along the same route, including nearly 40% sourced from Qatar under long-term contracts.
Global oil markets have reacted nervously. Benchmark Brent crude crossed $85 per barrel on Tuesday amid supply fears, with analysts cautioning that a blockade of Hormuz could drive prices towards $90 to $100 per barrel, sharply increasing India’s import bill and fuelling inflationary pressures.
The MEA said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S. Jaishankar have been in touch with regional and global counterparts. It described India as “in touch with the Governments of this region as well as other key partners”.
“Government will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation and take relevant decisions in the national interest,” the MEA statement concluded.
New Delhi has also refrained from condemning the US and Israeli strikes on Iran, including the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, even as sections of the domestic opposition have criticised the government’s position.
As the conflict widens and diplomatic channels strain under pressure, India’s calibrated messaging reflects a careful balancing act — safeguarding energy security and the welfare of millions of expatriates while avoiding overt alignment in a rapidly polarising regional crisis.
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