New Delhi: Amid rapidly escalating tensions in the Middle East following the United States’ airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a 45-minute conversation with Iran’s newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian, reiterating India’s firm call for immediate de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy.
The conversation took place shortly after the US launched Operation Midnight Hammer, targeting Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites — key components of Tehran’s controversial atomic programme. The strikes, reportedly involving B-2 stealth bombers and Tomahawk cruise missiles, marked Washington’s direct military entry into the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.
According to official sources, the call was initiated by President Pezeshkian, who provided PM Modi with a detailed briefing on the situation. The Iranian leader described India as a “friend and partner in promoting regional peace, security, and stability,” and thanked PM Modi for India’s balanced approach.
Following the call, Prime Minister Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Spoke with President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian. We discussed in detail about the current situation. Expressed deep concern at the recent escalations. Reiterated our call for immediate de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward and for early restoration of regional peace, security and stability.”
The developments come in the wake of the US targeting Fordow, an underground uranium enrichment site located near the city of Qom. Built in secret and only acknowledged in 2009, Fordow is buried deep within a mountain and was designed to withstand aerial bombardment. Despite its heavy fortification, the facility was hit by at least six bunker-busting bombs, according to US military officials.
The situation deteriorated further as Israel responded with a fresh round of airstrikes on Iranian military infrastructure in western Iran, following Iranian missile attacks that reportedly injured civilians in Israel.
In a national address, US President Donald Trump warned Iran of severe consequences if it failed to choose diplomacy. “There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran, far greater than we’ve witnessed over the last eight days,” Trump said.
India’s growing concern is not limited to geopolitical instability but also to the economic fallout of the escalating conflict. Experts warn that any further escalation could disrupt India’s trade relations with West Asia, particularly with countries such as Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.
India’s exports to Iran for FY2024-25 stood at $1.24 billion, largely comprising basmati rice ($753.2 million), soya meal ($70.6 million), banana ($53.2 million), Bengal gram ($27.9 million), and tea ($25.5 million). Imports from Iran were reported at $441.8 million.
With Israel, India recorded $2.1 billion in exports and $1.6 billion in imports during the same fiscal year, highlighting robust bilateral trade with both nations involved in the ongoing conflict.
Further compounding India’s concerns is the disruption of Red Sea cargo routes due to Houthi rebel attacks on commercial shipping vessels. The conflict around the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic maritime chokepoint, has impacted nearly 80% of India’s merchandise trade with Europe, and a substantial portion with the US.
This disruption also threatens the larger global trade architecture, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) projecting a 0.2% contraction in global trade in 2025, a significant revision from its earlier estimate of 2.7% growth.
The Red Sea route handles nearly 30% of global container traffic and 12% of international trade, making its continued disruption a cause for international concern.
India has long maintained strong diplomatic relations with both Iran and Israel. As tensions reach a boiling point, New Delhi’s strategy of balanced engagement is under stress. While reiterating support for peace, India is also acutely aware of the potential economic blowback, especially regarding energy security and trade flows.
With the situation evolving rapidly, India’s diplomatic outreach and call for restraint may play a key role in calming regional tempers — but much will depend on whether the involved nations choose negotiation over further escalation.
