Modi Condemns Attacks on Kuwait’s Sovereignty and Prioritises Hormuz Navigation Amid Expanding West Asia Crisis

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah on Wednesday, and condemned attacks on Kuwait’s sovereignty while also reiterating that ensuring “safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains our foremost priority.” This comes as India is intensifying its diplomatic outreach across the Gulf amid a rapidly escalating regional conflict.

File Photo of PM NaMo's meeting with the Crown Prince of Kuwait; Via Indian PMO

In a statement following the call, Modi said both leaders “exchanged views on the evolving situation in West Asia and shared concerns over recent developments,” and highlighted a growing regional anxiety as the Iran war continues to disrupt maritime routes, energy flows and internal security across multiple Gulf states. He “reiterated India’s condemnation of attacks on Kuwait’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” while stressing that uninterrupted navigation through Hormuz—one of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints—remains central to India’s strategic and economic interests.

The leaders also agreed that “sustained diplomatic engagement remains essential for regional peace and stability,” signalling New Delhi’s continued emphasis on de-escalation even as military tensions intensify across the region. Modi additionally thanked Kuwait’s leadership for its “continued support for the safety and wellbeing of the Indian community,” a recurring concern as thousands of Indian nationals remain exposed to instability across Gulf transit and labour networks.

The outreach to Kuwait comes against the backdrop of a widening war that has already seen direct and indirect attacks on multiple regional states, alongside severe disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, where vessel traffic has slowed sharply under the threat of mines, drones and missile strikes. For India, which relies heavily on Gulf energy imports and hosts a large expatriate workforce in the region, the dual priorities of maritime security and diaspora protection have become increasingly urgent.

As IndianRepublic.in reported earlier, Modi had initiated a broader diplomatic push at the onset of the crisis, holding separate conversations with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, where India “condemned the attacks” on both countries and emphasised the need for “rapid de-escalation” following U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran.

On March 3 too, Modi had held a telephone conversation with Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, during which he condemned the “violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” and expressed solidarity with its people “in this difficult hour,” while both leaders underscored the importance of “dialogue and diplomacy in restoring regional peace and stability,” and Modi conveyed appreciation for the Kuwaiti leadership’s continued efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of the Indian community residing in the country.

That earlier outreach established a pattern that continues in the current phase. Public condemnation of attacks on partner states, consistent messaging on de-escalation, and a clear articulation of India’s stake in maintaining stability across energy corridors and expatriate hubs. The Kuwait call states this approach again, but also shows the growing geographic spread of the crisis, with incidents now extending beyond initial theatres into wider Gulf infrastructure and security domains.

The conversation also aligns with India’s subsequent engagements with the United Arab Emirates, where Modi reiterated similar concerns over regional stability and maritime security, and underscored a coordinated diplomatic effort across key Gulf partners. 

These calls indicate that New Delhi is attempting to maintain strategic balance of condemning violations of sovereignty while avoiding direct alignment in an increasingly polarised conflict.

The current situation, however, remains volatile. With maritime threats persisting in Hormuz, energy markets under strain, and regional actors recalibrating their positions, India’s diplomatic messaging shows a recognition that while it is not a direct participant in the conflict, the consequences of escalation are already being felt across its core interests.