India's Diplomatic Focus on Alleviating Strained Israel-Iran Relations: S. Jaishankar

On Sunday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that India's diplomatic efforts are centered on the "relationship, or lack thereof," between Israel and Iran. While he did not provide further details on these efforts, Jaishankar emphasized that India has a vested interest in helping to ease the security situation.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke about the Israel-Iran conflict. (Photo: X/@DrSJaishankar)

His comments followed the deterioration of Israel-Iran relations over two months ago, after Iran launched approximately 200 missiles into Israel on October 1, in retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

"In recent times, for all of us, the relationship or absence of it between Israel and Iran has been particularly a source of concern, so some of our diplomatic efforts have focused on that particular aspect," Jaishankar said in an address at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain.

Regarding India's involvement in the West Asia conflict, Jaishankar stated, "India is today almost a USD 4 trillion economy, (and) we expect to comfortably double that this decade. Our trade is today around USD 800 billion, that too should at least double this decade," he said.

"So I again cannot overstate the stakes that we have because this region is the immediate for us the world beyond our borders that immediately awaits us," he added.

Red Sea and Houthi Attacks

Although S. Jaishankar did not directly address the attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea by Houthi militants, he emphasized that security is a crucial aspect of strategic regional cooperation.

"And we have had very significant security challenges in this area(Red Sea) with a very deep and disastrous impact for trade in Asia," he said.

"So when we look at the diversion of maritime routes and the insurance costs, and the shipping costs and the container costs and the delay that it has imposed, obviously, you know, India, but not just India, we have an interest in trying to mitigate that situation," he added.

He also discussed India's naval presence in the region, stating that, "We have actually had a naval presence in this region in the Gulf of Aden, Somalia, Northern Arabian Sea. Over the year it's been roughly about 30 ships, the peak was about 12 ships at one point of time which were deployed there."

"And in the last year, we have actually responded to 24 actual incidents, escorted 250 ships, rescued 120 crew members. So we are making our contributions, we working in tandem with Operation Prosperity Guardian. We have our own nationally named operation," he said.

"Operation Prosperity Guardian" is a military mission led by the United States, which was initiated late last year to collaboratively tackle security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Jaishankar stated that India plans to enhance its bilateral exercises both with its partners in the Gulf and in the Mediterranean.

Israel-Iran Conflict

The security situation in the Middle East has remained volatile for nearly a year following Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel.

On October 1, Iran became directly involved in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict by launching approximately 200 missiles into Israel. This escalation occurred just days after the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Shortly after the missile barrage, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remarked that Iran had made a "big mistake." In response, Israel targeted missile factories and other sites near Tehran and in western Iran.

However, Iran downplayed the Israeli airstrike, claiming it caused only minimal damage.

Following Iran's missile attack on Israel, India urged that the conflict not escalate into a broader regional war and called for restraint from all parties involved.

(This Article was originally published by India Today)