NEW DELHI, APRIL 10: The Indian government has voiced serious alarm over the relentless bombardment in Lebanon, which resulted in the deaths of 303 people on Wednesday alone. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal declared on Friday that reports of widespread civilian suffering are a matter of deep concern for India, a nation invested in the region’s peace and security through its UNIFIL peacekeeping presence.
Jaiswal asserted that the sanctity of international law and the sovereignty of nations must be upheld to prevent further destabilization. He stated that India has always maintained that the safety of non-combatants is a non-negotiable priority. The spokesperson declared that the current scale of the humanitarian crisis, marked by over 5,800 injuries and massive internal displacement, is deeply troubling to the international community.
The ministry also provided updates on the safety of Indian citizens abroad. Officials affirmed that the embassy in Beirut is actively tracking the welfare of the local Indian community. Meanwhile, Additional Secretary Aseem Mahajan noted that the government has facilitated the return of 2,180 nationals from Iran, including hundreds of students and fishermen, as part of its ongoing contingency planning in West Asia.
Beyond the immediate conflict, India is reinforcing its strategic ties to safeguard national interests. Jaiswal stated that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is scheduled to visit the UAE this weekend, following Minister Hardeep Puri’s mission to Qatar. These engagements are intended to strengthen energy cooperation and ensure a steady supply of fuel. Jaiswal also maintained that India continues to support its neighbors, having recently supplied 38,000 metric tonnes of fuel to Sri Lanka to help meet its energy requirements.
