New Delhi, India – March 2, 2026 – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged an immediate return to peace and stability in the Middle East, emphasizing dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable path to resolve the rapidly escalating conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Speaking at a joint news conference with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in New Delhi, Modi stated, “India stands for peace and stability.” He reiterated New Delhi’s longstanding position that all disputes must be addressed “through dialogue and diplomacy” and reaffirmed India’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens across the region.
The remarks came as the Middle East grapples with a major military confrontation that began with joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28, 2026. The operation has targeted Iranian leadership compounds, nuclear-related facilities, ballistic missile sites, air defenses, naval assets, and command structures, resulting in the confirmed death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and numerous senior officials. Iranian authorities have reported at least 555 deaths from the strikes, including significant civilian casualties.
In retaliation, Iran has launched successive waves of ballistic missiles and drones targeting US military installations and assets in Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed successful strikes on key US facilities, such as the Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE. Reports indicate civilian and military casualties on multiple fronts, with the conflict now entering its fifth day.
Modi’s appeal for calm followed high-level diplomatic engagements over the weekend and Monday. On Sunday, he held telephone talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the “current regional situation.” A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, posted on X, noted that Modi conveyed India’s deep concern over the unfolding developments, stressed the priority of civilian safety, and called for an early cessation of hostilities.
On Monday evening, Modi spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. In a post on X, Modi wrote that he “discussed the evolving situation in West Asia” with the Crown Prince and explicitly condemned “the recent attacks on Saudi Arabia in violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.” In his conversation with King Hamad, described as “productive,” Modi thanked Bahrain for its “steadfast support” to the Indian community there.
Additionally, on Sunday, Modi condemned attacks on the United Arab Emirates and offered condolences for lives lost in Iranian retaliatory strikes.
The Indian government has taken concrete steps in response to the crisis. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), India’s apex body for national security decisions and chaired by the Prime Minister, convened an emergency meeting to assess the situation. The CCS expressed “serious concern” over the safety and well-being of the large Indian expatriate community in the Gulf region—estimated at over 8 million people, many in construction, healthcare, and other sectors. The committee directed relevant ministries and departments to implement necessary measures to assist affected nationals, including evacuation planning if required, consular support, and coordination with host governments.
India maintains balanced relations across the Middle East, with strong economic, energy, and diaspora ties to Gulf states, strategic partnerships with Israel, and longstanding diplomatic engagement with Iran. The country imports a significant portion of its crude oil from the region and relies on the Strait of Hormuz for energy security. New Delhi has consistently advocated de-escalation in regional conflicts to protect these interests and prevent disruptions to global energy markets and supply chains.
The joint news conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is on a four-day official visit to India, focused primarily on strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation, with both leaders pledging to target $50 billion in two-way trade. However, the Middle East crisis featured prominently in their discussions, underscoring the global implications of the conflict.
As Operation Epic Fury—described by US President Donald Trump as a campaign expected to last four to five weeks or longer—continues, Modi’s diplomatic outreach reflects India’s strategic interest in preventing a wider war that could destabilize energy supplies, trigger mass displacement, and affect millions of Indian nationals working abroad.
With military exchanges persisting and civilian suffering mounting, India’s call for an end to hostilities and a return to diplomatic channels aligns with similar appeals from other nations, including Türkiye, which has pledged intensified efforts toward a ceasefire. The coming days will test whether multilateral diplomacy can gain traction amid ongoing operations and mutual accusations.
