PM Narendra Modi on Friday urged his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu “to de-escalate the situation” in West Asia when the latter dialled him to wish him on India’s 78th Independence Day. “Appreciate PM @netanyahu’s phone call and warm wishes on India’s 78th Independence Day. We discussed the current situation in West Asia. Emphasized on the need to de-escalate the situation. Reiterated our call for immediate release of all hostages, ceasefire and need for continued humanitarian assistance,” Modi said on X.
A statement from the Israeli PMO reads: “On behalf of the State of Israel, I extend heartfelt congratulations to Narendra Modi and the people of India on your 78th Independence Day! May our close relations flourish and bring prosperity to both our nations”. The phone call comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel following killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
There has been a flurry of diplomatic activity in West Asia this week. France, Germany and the United Kingdom urged Iran and its allies to “refrain from attacks that would further escalate regional tensions and jeopardise the opportunity to agree (to) a ceasefire and the release of hostages.”
TheUS has called repeatedly on Iran not to retaliate. It also has supported efforts mediated by Egypt and Qatar to reach a ceasefire deal in the wider war. However, it’s also prepared militarily if the situation escalates in West Asia. Several US warships are heading towards the region. But it is not only the West that is involved in controlling the situation. Secretary of Russia’s national security council, Sergei Shoigu, also visited Tehran recently. Russian deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov separately said Moscow was “calling on everybody to refrain from escalating the situation from turning into a disaster for all regional players.” Iran is a close ally of Russia.