New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held a telephonic conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the current regional situation.
In a post on X, Modi emphasized that the safety of civilians remains a top priority. He also stated that New Delhi supports an early cessation of hostilities.
Modi also spoke with the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, condemning the recent attacks on the UAE. Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives, he affirmed that India stands in solidarity with the UAE during these difficult times.
“Thanked him for taking care of the Indian community in the UAE. We support de-escalation, regional peace, security, and stability,” Modi added in another post on X.
Meanwhile, the conflict in the Middle East escalated on Monday as Israel Defense Forces targeted Hezbollah positions in Lebanon following retaliatory rocket and drone attacks by the Iran-backed group, theguardian.com reported.
The strikes came after Israel killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering widespread unrest across the region. The Israeli military has urged civilians in nearly 50 villages in eastern and southern Lebanon to evacuate at least 1,000 metres from populated areas to safer open locations, according to the Associated Press.
Separately, the British Ministry of Defence confirmed a suspected drone strike on its Royal Air Force Akrotiri base in Cyprus. The incident occurred around midnight, with no casualties reported, and authorities described the situation as ongoing.
The fallout from the US-Israeli operation also spread to South Asia. In Pakistan, at least 22 people died during pro-Iran demonstrations in Karachi, where hundreds marched on the US consulate. Protesters reportedly chanted against the offensive and set a small fire inside the reception hall. In Iraq, security forces fired teargas at demonstrators attempting to storm the US Embassy in Baghdad.
US President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he was willing to engage with what remains of the Iranian leadership after Khamenei’s killing. His remarks came amid continued air strikes in Iran and missile counter-attacks from Tehran, raising tensions across the Middle East and impacting global markets.
