PM Modi holds talks with Gulf, Israeli leaders as West Asia conflict escalates, avoids Iran

PM Modi also held telephone conversations with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

• PM Modi spoke with West Asian leaders amid escalating conflict
• He condemned attacks on Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain
• Modi stressed dialogue, diaspora safety, and regional stability

Did our AI summary help?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has intensified diplomatic outreach across West Asia over the past 48 hours, speaking with leaders of the UAE, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar as the region grapples with escalating hostilities.

The flurry of calls comes amid a rapidly evolving conflict triggered by the joint US–Israeli military offensive against Iran, followed by retaliatory strikes from Iran and Iran-backed groups targeting Israel, Gulf states and US military installations.

However, significantly, PM Modi has not yet condemned the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, leading to criticism from Congress' Sonia Gandhi for 'retreat from India’s principles'.

On Monday, PM Modi spoke with Qatar’s Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, condemning the attacks on Qatar and expressing solidarity with the country. He also thanked the Qatari leadership for its continued support to the Indian community.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said India “strongly condemns any violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” and stressed the urgent need for dialogue and diplomacy to restore regional stability.

Modi also held separate conversations with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. In both discussions, he voiced concern over recent attacks and discussed the safety and welfare of Indian nationals residing in those countries.

“Condemned the violation of Oman’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We agreed that sustained diplomatic engagement is essential for earliest restoration of regional peace and stability,” Modi said after his call with the Omani Sultan, while also acknowledging Oman’s support to the Indian community.

Oil's not well: Why war in West Asia affects India

On Sunday, the Prime Minister spoke with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, reiterating India’s support for the “peace, security and well-being” of the Jordanian people. He expressed concern over the “evolving situation” in the region and thanked the King for ensuring the safety of the Indian diaspora.

Earlier, Modi also held telephone conversations with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. During those calls, he condemned the attacks on both countries and enquired about the well-being of the large Indian communities there, underscoring New Delhi’s priority to safeguard its diaspora amid mounting regional tensions.

The outreach follows Modi’s conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, during which he reiterated India’s call for an early cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue to stabilise the region.