The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the movement of oil through key routes, such as the Strait of Hormuz, has been achieved by means of diplomatic efforts.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh was responding in the Lok Sabha to a question by Hyderabad parliamentarian Asaduddin Owaisi. Mr. Singh stated that the Gulf and West Asia as a region are critical to India’s energy security and connectivity. By means of diversification of sources, increasing domestic production, continuous imports and managing price volatility has ensured the continuity of energy supplies.
Touching upon Mr. Owaisi’s question on what steps were taken to protect the Indian diaspora of 10 million in that region, Mr. Singh stated that the government accords the highest priority to their welfare. The MEA has set up a dedicated control room, while embassies and consulates are running round-the-clock helplines and issuing updated advisories. Coordination with States is also under way, and efforts have made to facilitate the return of Indian nationals affected by recent airspace closures, the Minister stated.
Addressing a question on a recent proposed partnership between India and the United ARab Emirates, the MEA stated that this seeks to expand bilateral defence cooperation across sectors, including defence industrial collaboration, innovation, advanced defence technologies, counter-terrorism, cyber threats and training. The government said the agreement ‘builds’ upon existing defence ties and aims to strengthen them further.
On clarity sought as regards the aspect of this agreement’s implications on ties with other West Asian countries, the Union government stated that the country’s relations with Gulf nations, and the wider region are based on ‘long-standing people-to-people’ connections. These connections have developed into strategic partnerships covering trade, investment, defence, energy and connectivity.
The Union government stated that it is maintaining ‘close oversight’ of the Chabahar Port as well as the International North-South Transport Corridor and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. The Union government is continuing engagement with stakeholders in line with prevailing regional security conditions, it stated.