Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the remarks after holding a meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, a day after a US submarine sank an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka.
Emphasising India’s commitment to the rule of law, dialogue, and diplomacy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that “no issue can be resolved through military conflict alone.” He added that India will continue to support efforts aimed at bringing a swift end to conflicts and promoting peace, whether in West Asia or Ukraine.
Modi made the remarks after holding bilateral talks with visiting Finnish President Alexander Stubb. His comments came a day after an Iranian naval ship was reportedly sunk by a US submarine on Wednesday.
“India and Finland both believe in the rule of law, dialogue, and diplomacy. We agree that no issue can be resolved through military conflict alone. Whether it is Ukraine or West Asia, we will continue to support the early end of conflicts and all efforts aimed at peace,” Modi said.
He also noted that both countries agree on the urgent need to reform global institutions to address growing international challenges. The statement referred to India’s push for reforms in bodies such as the UN Security Council and other multilateral organisations. “Eliminating terrorism in all its forms is also our shared commitment,” Modi added.
a referred to the situation in West Asia as a “conflict in Iran and the Gulf region” for the first time since Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in strikes carried out by Israel and the US. New Delhi noted that “many lives have been regrettably lost and we express our grief in that regard.”
In New Delhi, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, issued a detailed statement – without directly naming Khamenei – highlighting four key points: India’s “deep concern and great anxiety” over the rapidly worsening situation and the potential impact on Indian nationals as well as trade and shipping in the region; condolences for those who lost their lives in the strikes; and India’s efforts to assist citizens facing distress.
As Iran retaliates by targeting countries hosting US personnel – thereby widening the scope of the conflict – Randhir Jaiswal also highlighted India’s “critical stakes” in the security and stability of the region. He noted that in the recent attacks, some Indian nationals have either lost their lives or are reported missing.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement came on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to several leaders in the region. Without directly naming Iran, Modi spoke with the leaders of Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait, condemning violations of their sovereignty and territorial integrity and stressing the urgent need to restore peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy.
These conversations followed his earlier discussions with the leaders of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain on the same issue.