Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian over the phone to discuss the “serious situation” unfolding in West Asia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday. The discussion focused on regional tensions, the safety of Indian nationals, and the unhindered transit of goods and energy.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during an inter-ministerial briefing that Modi expressed deep concern over the escalation of conflicts in the region, highlighting the loss of civilian lives and damage to infrastructure. “The Prime Minister told the Iranian President that the safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for uninterrupted transit of goods and energy, remain India’s top priorities,” he added.

Modi emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve regional conflicts, while reiterating India’s commitment to the safety of its citizens abroad. The MEA noted that approximately 1 crore Indians live across the Gulf and West Asia, with about 10,000 residing in Iran and more than 40,000 in Israel.

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This call follows a series of recent conversations in which PM Modi spoke with the leaders of Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Israel, and Qatar. In these calls, he expressed concern over attacks on these countries and condemned violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The MEA highlighted that India continues to closely monitor the situation, particularly in areas where its citizens live, work, or study. Ensuring the safe transit of essential energy supplies and goods was described as a key element of India’s strategic priorities in the region.

Officials emphasized that India is actively engaging with West Asian nations to promote stability and prevent further escalation, while continuing to support peaceful resolution through diplomatic channels.

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