India Voices Deep Concern Over Lebanon Civilian Deaths as 1,000 Indians Remain in Country

India has expressed deep concern over the rising number of civilian casualties in Lebanon following continued strikes by Israel, as tensions persist despite a fragile ceasefire in West Asia. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the situation as disturbing and reiterated India’s commitment to peace, stability, and the protection of civilians in conflict zones.

Addressing a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India is “deeply concerned” by reports of large-scale civilian casualties. He noted that India, as a troop-contributing nation to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), has a direct stake in maintaining peace and security in the region. The escalating violence, he added, is a matter of serious concern for New Delhi.

Jaiswal reiterated India’s longstanding position that the protection of civilian lives must remain the top priority in any conflict. He emphasised the importance of adhering to international law and respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations. His remarks come amid reports that recent Israeli strikes have resulted in over 200 deaths, mostly civilians, and left more than 1,000 people injured in Lebanon.

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The government also confirmed that it is closely monitoring the safety of Indian nationals residing in Lebanon. According to officials, around 1,000 Indians are currently in the country, and the Indian Embassy remains in constant contact with the community to ensure their safety. Authorities have not reported any casualties among Indian citizens so far but continue to track developments closely.

The situation has been further complicated by uncertainty surrounding the scope of the ceasefire discussions involving the United States and Iran. While Tehran has indicated that the ceasefire should extend to Israeli operations in Lebanon, both Washington and Israel have maintained that strikes targeting Hezbollah are not covered under the truce.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted that there is no ceasefire in Lebanon, stating that military operations against Hezbollah will continue. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s prime minister, Nawaf Salam, is expected to visit Washington for talks as diplomatic efforts intensify. The ongoing hostilities underscore growing strain on ceasefire negotiations and raise concerns about a broader escalation in the region.

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