New Delhi: Amid rising tensions in West Asia following a major Israeli military offensive on Iranian soil, India has stepped in to initiate diplomatic engagement with both nations. On Friday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held separate phone calls with his Israeli and Iranian counterparts, signaling New Delhi’s intent to closely monitor the situation and urge restraint from both sides.
“Received a call this afternoon from FM @gidonsaar of Israel regarding ongoing developments,” Jaishankar posted on X. Later, he also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi to discuss the “latest situation” in the region. These high-level conversations underscore India’s balanced approach as it seeks to maintain dialogue with key players in a deeply volatile region.
The diplomatic outreach comes in the wake of Israel’s unprecedented airstrikes across Iran on Friday, which targeted strategic military and nuclear-related installations. According to reports, the strikes resulted in the deaths of at least three top Iranian military figures — General Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of Iran’s armed forces; General Hossein Salami, commander of the Revolutionary Guard; and General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the Guard’s ballistic missile program. Their deaths mark a major blow to Iran’s military leadership and have significantly heightened the risk of further escalation.
The attack has been described by analysts as the most serious assault on Iranian territory since the devastating Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s. In response, Tehran has vowed a “powerful” retaliation, raising concerns that the conflict could spiral into a broader regional war involving multiple countries.
India’s diplomatic efforts reflect its longstanding strategy of maintaining neutral, constructive ties with both Israel and Iran. By engaging with both sides, New Delhi aims to promote de-escalation and preserve stability in a region critical to global energy security and the Indian diaspora.
