NEW DELHI, APRIL 10: India has formally denounced the high number of civilian casualties in Lebanon following a series of intense bombings that claimed 303 lives in a single day this week. Speaking at a media briefing on Friday, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the escalating violence is very disturbing, particularly as India remains a significant troop contributor to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
The spokesperson affirmed that the protection of civilians must remain the foremost priority in the conflict. He maintained that it is essential for all parties to respect international law as well as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. While the remarks did not name specific actors, they represented a notable stance on the humanitarian crisis that has seen 1,800 people killed and over 1.1 million displaced within the last month.
The Indian embassy in Beirut declared that it is maintaining constant contact with the approximately 1,000 Indian nationals residing in Lebanon to ensure their safety. Jaiswal noted that India is closely monitoring the situation in West Asia, reaching out to regional partners to discuss the impact of the hostilities. He asserted that the current direction of events threatens a fragile geopolitical landscape, including a sensitive truce between the United States and Iran.
In tandem with its diplomatic efforts, India is taking steps to secure its energy interests. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri recently concluded a visit to Qatar, India’s largest supplier of liquefied natural gas. Jaiswal affirmed that Qatar has reaffirmed its commitment to being a reliable energy partner during this period of regional instability. Additionally, the ministry stated that 2,180 Indian nationals have already been successfully repatriated from Iran via neighboring countries.
