India expresses concern over rising tensions in West Asia, urges return to diplomacy

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement on Saturday expressing deep concern over escalating tensions in West Asia, especially after Israel’s recent precision strikes on Iranian military sites.

The MEA emphasized the need for diplomacy and called on all parties involved to prioritize peace. "We are deeply concerned by the evolving escalation in West Asia and its implications for regional and global peace," the statement read, urging restraint and a renewed focus on dialogue.

The MEA also highlighted the humanitarian cost of the ongoing conflict, noting that “innocent hostages and civilian populations continue to suffer,” and confirmed that Indian missions in the region remain in contact with the Indian community to ensure their safety.

The recent hostilities followed a strike by Israel on Iranian sites after Tehran launched around 200 missiles toward Israel earlier this month. These developments come after nearly a year of cross-border attacks between Israeli forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as tensions in Gaza.

In a statement, Israel's Consul General Kobbi Shoshani condemned Iran’s actions and stated Israel’s commitment to target military threats in the region, calling for conditions to limit Hezbollah's influence in Lebanon and ensure a “safety zone” where the Lebanese army, rather than Hezbollah, holds control.

Iran’s state media, meanwhile, reported that air defense systems in Tehran had successfully intercepted “adversarial targets” in response to the recent Israeli attacks, with officials reinforcing their readiness to respond to heightened regional threats.