India Provides Petroleum Support to Neighboring Nations as Middle East Conflict Escalates
In response to rising regional pressures fueled by the ongoing Middle East conflict, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday that several neighboring countries have sought India's assistance for petroleum supplies. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal detailed the government's efforts to meet these energy demands while addressing the safety of Indian citizens abroad.
Petroleum Assistance to South Asian Nations
Bangladesh has been a consistent recipient of India's energy support since 2007, with supplies continuing uninterrupted. Sri Lanka recently received 38,000 metric tonnes of petroleum products based on a formal request, highlighting India's role as a reliable partner in times of need.
Jaiswal emphasized that ongoing engagements are in place with Nepal and Bhutan, ensuring their energy requirements are addressed through bilateral cooperation. Additionally, the Maldives government has approached India for both short-term and long-term petroleum supplies, with these requests currently under review, considering India's own availability and strategic needs.
Safety and Evacuation of Indian Nationals
Addressing concerns about the approximately 10 million Indians residing in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Jaiswal assured that all are safe, with constant communication maintained through Indian embassies. However, he noted the tragic loss of eight Indian lives in the conflict, with one person still missing, underscoring the human cost of the regional instability.
The MEA, in coordination with the Ministry of Shipping and embassies across the region, is closely monitoring developments in the Gulf, the ongoing conflict, and activities around the Strait of Hormuz to safeguard citizen security and interests.
Evacuation Efforts from Iran
In terms of evacuation, Jaiswal reported that 204 Indian nationals have successfully left Iran via the land border to Azerbaijan, with many already returned home and others expected in the coming days. He expressed gratitude to the Azerbaijani government for facilitating this exit, demonstrating international cooperation in crisis management.
This comprehensive response highlights India's proactive diplomacy and humanitarian efforts amid escalating regional tensions, balancing energy assistance with citizen protection.
