'Avoid Escalation, Exercise Restraint': Jaishankar Discusses Middle East Tensions With Iranian, Israeli Counterparts

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday spoke to his Israeli and Iranian counterparts amid high tensions between the two countries.

Jaishankar said that he had also spoken to his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, regarding the release of 17 Indian crew members on an Israeli-affiliated container ship seized by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

In a social media post on X, the External Affairs Minister further stated that he had discussed the current ongoing tension between Iran and Israel. He stressed the importance of ‘avoiding escalation’ during his conversation with Amir-Abdollahian.

“Spoke to Iranian FM @Amirabdolahian this evening. Took up the release of 17 Indian crew members of MSC Aries. Discussed the current situation in the region. Stressed the importance of avoiding escalation, exercising restraint and returning to diplomacy. Agreed to remain in touch,” Jaishankar wrote.

Jaishankar also spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz and discussed the situation.

On Saturday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards seized the MSC Aries when it was sailing through the Strait of Hormuz. The Israeli-affiliated container ship had 17 Indian crew members. The ship, MSC Aries, was en route to the port of Nhava Sheva in Mumbai.

Earlier today, Jaishankar advocated for an immediate de-escalation of the situation after Iran fired missiles and drones towards Israel, calling it a “matter of deep concern”. His remarks came after Iran launched its first direct military attack against Israel on Saturday, firing more than 100 bomb-carrying drones.

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“It is a matter of deep concern because it represents an escalation in this situation, something which worries all of us,” the EAM told India Today.

“We have for some time been concerned about the situation there starting with the October 7 attack on Israel, escalating into other dimensions and other zones which is deeply worrying. We have particular stakes in that region,” he added.

Jaishankar further said India is constantly monitoring the situation in the region and has advised its citizens to exercise caution.

“Right now we have advised people not to travel to Israel or Iran. We have asked those who are already there to take utmost precaution. That’s the sensible thing to do right now. We will watch what happens further and if we have to issue advisories or take steps, we will do that,” Jaishankar was quoted by India Today as saying.

Later in the day, during an exclusive conversation with News18, EAM Jaishankar shed light on how India’s foreign policy has changed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s regime over the last ten years.

“We are getting more globalised. Our opportunities, contributions, and challenges vis-à-vis the world are growing. The world is coming to India,” Jaishankar said.

On being asked if India should be worried over the escalating situation between Iran and Israel, the EAM said we should be “concerned”, adding that we have to be “prepared” given “so many conflicts going on in the world, so much polarisation, challenges on our border”.

“This is an uncertain, unpredictable, turbulent world. You need a safe and experienced set of hands on the tiller of the ship that is India. That’s how we will sail,” he said.