New Delhi has expressed profound concern over reports of civilian casualties in Lebanon amid escalating violence in the region. In a strongly worded statement, the Ministry of External Affairs urged all parties to strictly adhere to international law during this precarious time.
Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the media during an inter-ministerial briefing on West Asia developments. He highlighted India’s deep worry about the large-scale loss of civilian lives. As a key contributor to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), India remains steadfastly committed to peace and stability in the country.
‘Protecting civilians is our top priority,’ Jaiswal emphasized. ‘Upholding international law, along with respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity, is absolutely essential.’ He assured that the Indian embassy in Lebanon is in constant touch with the approximately 1,000 Indian nationals there, monitoring their safety closely.
This comes as a fragile two-week ceasefire holds between the US and Iran, with peace talks set to begin soon. However, Israel has made it clear that its military operations in Lebanon fall outside this truce. Just hours after the ceasefire announcement, Israeli forces claimed to have struck over 100 Hezbollah targets in a swift 10-minute assault.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office backed the US decision to halt strikes on Iran but stressed that operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon continue unabated. Israel’s ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, noted that while Iran’s military capabilities have been degraded, threats from Hezbollah necessitate ongoing action.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed pausing campaigns against Iran but affirmed targeted ground operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. ‘We will act on every front to safeguard our security,’ an IDF statement read.
India’s intervention underscores its balanced approach to Middle East conflicts, prioritizing humanitarian concerns while advocating for de-escalation. As tensions simmer, New Delhi’s call for restraint could play a pivotal role in broader regional diplomacy.