West Asia conflicts matter of concern: EAM

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday mentioned the challenges in West Asia by including the Iran-Israel conflict and the situation in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria on the list. Without naming the Yemen-based Houthi rebels for attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, Jaishankar highlighted the efforts of the Indian Navy in securing the sea routes.

On a day when armed rebels overthrew the Bashar Al-Assad regime in Syria, Jaishankar said there were “challenges from Gaza to Lebanon to Syria”. He was speaking at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, where he arrived on Saturday. The theme of the 20th edition of the Manama Dialogue is the “Middle East leadership in shaping regional prosperity and security”.

On India’s contribution to solving the ongoing conflict in West Asia, he said, “We are doing this on the diplomatic side. We are one country that has the ability to speak to both Israel and Iran. That is one communication link, which is weak. We are not the only communication link. We are serving an important cause. At the right moment, right people get what the intended message is.” The relationship or absence of it between Israel and Iran had been a source of concern, he added.

During his speech, Jaishankar, without referring to attacks by Houthi militants in the Red Sea, said, “When we look at the diversion of maritime routes and the insurance, shipping and container costs and the delay that it has imposed, you know, India, and not just India, has an interest in trying to mitigate that situation.”