Modi’s phone calls with the two West Asian leaders come even as India has yet to comment on the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader in the US-Israeli strikes.
Just after condemning Iran’s missile strikes on the United Arab Emirates, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging an early cessation of hostilities even as New Delhi has yet to comment on the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes.
In a post on X early Monday (March 2), Modi said he discussed the “current regional situation” with Netanyahu, conveyed India’s concerns over recent developments and stressed that civilian safety must remain a priority. He added that India reiterates the need for an early end to the fighting.
The conversation with Netanyahu came shortly after Modi on Sunday night spoke with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to strongly condemn the Iranian attacks on Emirati territory and express solidarity with the country.
India has not issued any statement specifically addressing Khamenei’s death in the US-Israeli strikes, despite confirmation from Tehran. The Ministry of External Affairs had urged “restraint” and “dialogue” in a general statement after the initial strikes.
Just days earlier, on February 25, Modi had visited Israel despite the shadow of imminent tension, where he affirmed India’s solidarity with Tel Aviv and called for dialogue and diplomacy in West Asia.
Two days after Modi left, the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran, triggering retaliatory attacks across the region.
In his call with Sheikh Mohamed, Modi said he “strongly condemned the attacks on the UAE and condoled the loss of lives in these attacks”. While Modi didn’t name Iran, his remarks were India’s first official condemnation of any side in the rapidly escalating conflict.
He thanked the Emirati leadership for taking care of the Indian community in the UAE and reiterated India’s support for “de-escalation, regional peace, security and stability.”
The Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi confirmed one Indian national was among 58 injured in the strikes and said the person is “out of danger”, with the embassy providing all assistance.
The UAE is home to nearly 3.9 million Indians, India’s largest expatriate community abroad, and bilateral trade hit $100 billion in the last fiscal year.
On February 28, the US and Israel launched a joint military operation targeting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps facilities, missile sites and nuclear infrastructure. The strikes killed Khamenei along with top lieutenants, Iran’s Red Crescent said, with 201 dead and 747 injured across 24 provinces. Three US soldiers died as strikes continued.
Iran retaliated with ballistic missiles and drones against Israel, US bases and Gulf states including the UAE.
UAE air defences intercepted 167 missiles and 541 drones, but 35 hit Emirati soil, killing three and injuring 58, the country’s defence ministry said.
A drone struck Abu Dhabi’s Al Salam Naval Base. Dubai airport was evacuated after concourse damage injured four staff. Fires erupted at the Burj Al Arab and Palm Jumeirah.
The UAE announced the closure of its embassy and the withdrawal of its ambassador from Iran, even as it condemned the Iranian missile strikes as a “flagrant violation of national sovereignty”.
Among those stranded in the UAE was Indian badminton star and double Olympic medallist P.V. Sindhu, who was transiting through Dubai on her way to the All England Open championships in Birmingham. Sindhu wrote on social media that “hearing the interceptions overhead and seeing how quickly everything has escalated is honestly terrifying”. She later reported that an explosion had occurred roughly 100 metres from where her coach was standing, calling the experience “truly shaking”.
Separately, in-charge of the BJP’s foreign affairs department, Vijay Chauthaiwale, criticised online commentary by Indian X users targeting the UAE. His post appeared to reference social media remarks, including one by a ruling party lawmaker, suggesting that India under Modi was safer after the strikes and that the developments were a “lesson” for those who had moved to Dubai for jobs and tax benefits.
“Cheap comments against UAE by some people in India are condemnable when that country is under attack,” Chauthaiwale posted on X, tagging the Indian and UAE embassies, external affairs minister S. Jaishankar and Modi.
(This article first appeared in The Wire.)
Also Read: ‘World Needs Peace’: Opposition Reacts To US-Israel Strikes On Iran https://www.vibesofindia.com/world-needs-peace-opposition-reacts-to-us-israel-strikes-on-iran/
