## India's Response to the Iran-Israel Conflict
India, a major importer of petroleum from the Middle East, is carefully monitoring the situation following the recent conflict between Iran and Israel. The Indian government has stated that it will take necessary policy decisions to mitigate any potential impact on the country's trade, but only after a thorough understanding of the situation's full ramifications.
Trade Secretary Sunil Barthwal emphasized that the government will address any issues faced by traders based on a comprehensive assessment of the situation. In the meantime, India has advised its citizens to avoid travel to both Iran and Israel until further notice due to the prevailing regional tensions.
Despite the initial escalation, oil prices have since stabilized as the market assesses the likelihood of a broader regional conflict. The attack on an Iranian consulate in Damascus, which resulted in the death of top Iranian commanders, prompted Iran to launch over 300 missiles and drones on Israel. Israel has not confirmed or denied its involvement in the initial attack.
The international community, including the United States, India, and Russia, has urged both nations to de-escalate the situation and engage in diplomatic dialogue. The US has explicitly stated that it will not participate in any retaliatory actions against Iran.
Russia, which has been engaged in its own conflict with Ukraine since 2022, echoed the call for restraint. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions and emphasized the need for all parties to exercise restraint. He stressed that further escalation would not serve anyone's interests and advocated for resolving disagreements through political and diplomatic means.