Abu Dhabi, May 15: India is ready to extend all possible support for the earliest restoration of peace and stability in West Asia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday, as he condemned the attacks on the UAE while praising the Gulf country’s leadership for its handling of the situation with restraint.
During his meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi, Modi also assured him that India stands shoulder to shoulder with the UAE in every situation and will continue to do so in the future.
Underlining that the impact of the volatile situation in West Asia is being felt across the globe, Modi said India has always given priority to dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the issues.
“India is ready to extend all possible support for the restoration of peace and stability at the earliest,” the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister Modi also conveyed India’s clear position in favour of ensuring safe transit passage and unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, which is vital for enduring regional peace and stability, as well as energy and food security.
He said that keeping the Strait of Hormuz free, open and safe is our highest priority and added that adherence to international laws is essential.
Iran shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, following the launch of the US-Israeli attacks on February 28.
The UAE, which hosts a US military base, has been at the receiving end of Iranian strikes during the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran.
Modi and Mohamed bin Zayed held a series of detailed discussions, during which the Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s strong condemnation of the attacks on the UAE, as well as its solidarity with the leadership and the people of the Gulf country.
“We strongly condemn the attack that took place in the UAE. The way the UAE was targeted is unacceptable in any form,” Modi said, without naming any country.
Last week, three Indian nationals were injured after a fire broke out on the Fujairah Petroleum Industries Zone (FOIZ) in the UAE following a drone strike. The UAE’s Ministry of Defence blamed Iran for the attack.
“In these difficult circumstances, the restraint, courage and wisdom demonstrated by you are highly commendable,” Modi told the UAE president.
Modi also thanked him for taking care of the Indian community like members of his own family in such challenging times.
The ongoing conflict in West Asia has heightened concerns in India over potential disruptions to crude oil and gas supplies, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz.
The conflict has severely destabilised global energy markets, primarily due to Tehran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20 per cent of the world’s total petroleum supply flows.
