Jaishankar Tells Indian Parliament India Backs Dialogue to De-escalate Iran War; Oil Supply Risks Highlighted Amid Opposition Uproar
India told Parliament on Monday that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path to de-escalate the widening war in West Asia, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar warning that the conflict poses serious risks to global energy flows, shipping routes and the safety of millions of Indians living in the Gulf region.
Addressing both the hoses of the Parliament separately amid loud protests from opposition benches, Jaishankar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was closely monitoring developments while multiple ministries were coordinating responses to the fast-evolving security situation in the Middle East.
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| Image Source: ANI Screengrab of Sansad TV on X |
The minister said stability in West Asia remained vital for India’s economic interests, given the region’s role as a major supplier of oil and gas as well as a key trade partner.
“West Asia must remain stable and peaceful,” he said, adding that the government was assessing the implications of the conflict for energy supplies, shipping routes and global trade flows.
Jaishankar told the Parliament that the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had met on March 1 to review the crisis and discuss its potential consequences for India’s strategic and economic interests.
My statement in Rajya Sabha today on ‘The Situation in West Asia’ https://t.co/LhetCLKmP8
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 9, 2026
The meeting, he said, examined the safety of Indian citizens in the region as well as the broader implications for regional security and commercial activity.
The Gulf region alone accounts for nearly $200 billion in annual trade with India, while millions of Indians live and work across the Middle East, making the conflict a matter of immediate national concern.
“The well-being and security of the Indian community in the region is our priority,” Jaishankar said. “Millions of Indians are in the Gulf countries. We are concerned about them.”
The minister confirmed that two Indian mariners have been killed and another remains missing since the conflict escalated, highlighting the risks faced by Indian workers operating in the region’s shipping industry.
India has also issued a series of travel advisories to reduce the risk to its citizens. Jaishankar said the government had first warned Indian nationals on January 5 to avoid non-essential travel to Iran and to register with the Indian embassy. Additional advisories followed in mid-January and February urging Indians to leave Iran where possible.
Statement in Lok Sabha regarding ‘The Situation in West Asia’. https://t.co/sRXaI20BAT
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 9, 2026
Once the conflict intensified, Indian diplomatic missions helped relocate several Indian students in Tehran and established emergency helplines to assist citizens stranded in the region.
Indian embassies across the Middle East have also been coordinating closely with local authorities and airlines to facilitate the return of stranded travellers whenever airspace conditions permit.
“Every effort is being made so that those who are stuck in the region, transit passengers and those needing to return urgently can do so,” Jaishankar said, noting that commercial evacuation flights have been arranged wherever limited airspace openings allowed.
Energy security remains another central concern for New Delhi. Jaishankar told lawmakers that the government would prioritise protecting Indian consumers from supply shocks in global oil markets.
“For us, the interests of the Indian consumer has and will always be the overriding priority,” he said, adding that Indian diplomacy was working with energy companies and partner countries to secure stable supplies during the crisis.
The minister also referred to India’s decision to allow the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Lavan to dock at Kochi after it reported technical problems while operating in the region.
Approval for the docking was granted on March 1, and the ship, carrying 183 crew members, mostly cadets, reached Kochi on March 4.
Earlier, Jaishankar had said the decision was taken on humanitarian grounds rather than geopolitical considerations. The docking came days after another Iranian warship, IRIS Dena, was sunk by a U.S. submarine in the Indian Ocean, killing more than 87 sailors. Sri Lankan authorities later rescued several survivors.
Jaishankar described the incident as “unfortunate” and said India had deployed maritime patrol aircraft and naval assets to assist search and rescue operations after the distress call.
“It was the right thing to do,” he said of India’s response.
The minister concluded his statement by outlining what he described as three guiding principles shaping India’s approach to the crisis: support for peace and diplomatic resolution, protection of Indian citizens abroad, and safeguarding national interests including energy security and trade.
“India is in favour of peace and urges a return to dialogue and diplomacy,” he said. “Our national interest, including energy security and trade flows, will always be paramount.”
The statement triggered protests from opposition parties demanding a full parliamentary debate on the war. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the government had allowed only a ministerial statement without permitting questions or clarifications, prompting an opposition walkout from the House.
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