S Jaishankar speaks to Israeli counterpart: 'To stay in touch'

S Jaishankar speaks to Israeli counterpart: ‘To stay in touch’

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday held a telephonic conversation with his Israeli counterpart, Israel Katz, and shared India’s concerns over the situation arising out of the Iran-Israel hostilities. He discussed the larger regional situation and also ‘agreed to stay in touch’.

Iran launched its first direct attack on Israel by firing hundreds of drones and missiles in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus on April 1.

Follow all the latest updates on Iran-Israel tensions here.

“Just concluded a conversation with Israel FM @Israel_katz. Shared our concern at the developments yesterday. Discussed the larger regional situation. Agreed to stay in touch,” Jaishankar said on X.

Earlier in the day, Jaishankar also spoke to his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and took up the release of 17 Indian crew members of the ship, MSC Aries, seized by Iran.

The two leaders also discussed the current situation in the region and stressed the importance of avoiding escalation.

In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, “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,” he added.

India on Sunday called for an “immediate de-escalation” in the wake of Iran’s direct attack on Israel, expressing concerns at hostilities between Israel and Iran that threaten “peace and security in the region”.

“We are seriously concerned at the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran which threatens the peace and security in the region,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

“We call for immediate de-escalation, exercise of restraint, stepping back from violence and return to the path of diplomacy,” it said.

The MEA said India is closely monitoring the evolving situation in West Asia.

“We are closely monitoring the evolving situation. Our Embassies in the region are in close touch with the Indian community,” the MEA said in a statement.