India calls for de-escalation through talks
India on Saturday said it was deeply concerned over the “evolving escalation” in West Asia and urged all sides to exercise restraint and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy.
“Our Missions in the region are in contact with the Indian community,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
“We are deeply concerned by the evolving escalation in West Asia and its ramifications for peace and stability in the region and beyond,” the MEA said.
“We reiterate our call to all concerned to exercise restraint and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy. The ongoing hostilities are to nobody’s benefit, even as innocent hostages and civilian populations continue to suffer,” it said.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir said there was a “need to avoid further regional escalation” and called on all sides to show restraint.
Reactions in the region were harsher. Saudi Arabia, Iran’s main Arab rival, condemned the strike, calling it a threat to regional security and “a violation of international laws and norms.”
Turkey accused Israel of having “brought our region to the brink of a greater war” and said, “putting an end to the terror created by Israel in the region has become a historic duty.”
Syria and Iraq were among other countries in the region condemning the strikes. So did Hamas, which along with other militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.
