By Shakir Husain
NEW DELHI, March 13 (Bernama) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday raised concerns about energy disruptions in West Asia in a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Modi "expressed deep concern about the evolving security situation in the region and reiterated India's consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy," according to a statement issued by his office.
"The prime minister highlighted India's priority regarding the safety and well-being of Indian nationals in the region, including in Iran, as also the importance of unhindered transit of energy and goods," it added.
The Iranian president briefed Modi "on the current situation in Iran and shared his perspective on recent developments in the region," the statement noted, without giving details.
Iran's armed forces have retaliated following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, targeting sites in Israel and US military bases across West Asia.
About 10 million Indians live and work in the Gulf Arab region.
Countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar are key to India's financial and energy interests.
India and the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, including Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait, in February agreed to formally launch negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA).
The GCC is India's largest trading partner as a bloc, with the value of trade at US$178.56 billion in the fiscal year 2024-25, representing 15.42 per cent of India's global trade, according to official Indian data.
India-Iran trade is tiny in comparison, totalling US$2.3 billion in 2022-23.
The conflict has disrupted global trade and energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has not closed the strategic waterway but has restricted passage for vessels linked to the US and Israel, according to reports.
-- BERNAMA
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