Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed the understanding reached between the United States and Iran on ending the conflict in West Asia, expressing hope that the implementation of the pact will help restore peace and stability in the region. According to Business Standard, Modi stated that India hopes that the implementation of this understanding will help restore peace and stability in the region and ensure the freedom of navigation and commerce. The PM's statement represents India's cautious optimism about the potential for de-escalation in the West Asia region, where India has significant economic and human stakes. Modi emphasized that India looks forward to deliberations on the remaining issues, reaching a sustainable final agreement, indicating India's active engagement in the peace process.
India is set to attend a high-level G7 meeting with the US and Gulf countries as concerns over West Asia stability and sea lanes remain in focus. According to ANI, India will participate in a key West Asia-focused discussion on the sidelines of the G7 Summit next week, alongside the United States and major Gulf countries including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The leaders from these countries are expected to attend the meeting, with discussions likely around the importance of ensuring free navigation and uninterrupted movement through critical sea routes amid ongoing tensions in the region. As reported by ANI, "We are not part of the war, but it has an impact on all of us," highlighting the broader economic and strategic implications of instability in West Asia.
India expressed firm opposition to attacks on merchant shipping during an address to the UN Security Council by Permanent Representative Harish Parvathaneni. According to reports from Business Standard, Parvathaneni stated that many Indian nationals have lost their lives or are missing as a result of attacks against countries of the region and against merchant vessels and sea lanes of communication. The statement came during an open debate on ''''''''''''''''Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Advancing Political Solutions in the Middle East: Mediation and Dialogue for Lasting Peace'''''''''''''''' on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Parvathaneni emphasized that India is firmly opposed to attacks on merchant shipping, as many of its nationals are prominent in its global workforce and expressed deep concern at the conflict in Iran and the Gulf region that unfortunately began in the holy month of Ramadan.
The UN statement followed India's strong protest over a US attack on commercial tanker Settebello with 24 Indian crew members off the coast of Oman. As reported by Business Standard, three of the 24 crew members went missing following the attack, which occurred just hours before Parvathaneni's Security Council address. The attack came two days after a Palau-flagged vessel with 24 Indians came under attack by the US Navy as the ship tried to evade the US blockade of Iranian ports. India strongly reiterated its call for dialogue and diplomacy, avoiding impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, avoiding military targeting of commercial shipping, avoiding targeting of the civilian population and infrastructure, and seeking an early end to the conflict.
President Donald Trump has announced that the US and Iran have finalised a deal to end their 107-day war, which triggered a global energy crisis. According to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the peace agreement is scheduled to be signed on June 19 in Switzerland. Modi's latest statement acknowledges that the understanding reached between the United States and Iran on ending the conflict in West Asia has caused serious economic disruption across the world and led to loss of life in many countries. The PM's emphasis on implementation will bring peace indicates India's focus on ensuring the agreement translates into tangible regional stability and security benefits.
Parvathaneni emphasized that there are almost 10 million Indian citizens who live and work in the Gulf region, with their safety and well-being being of utmost priority to India. According to Business Standard, he noted that trade and energy supply chains are dependent on stability in the region and any major disruption has serious consequences for the Indian economy. The intensification of the Iran conflict and its spread to other nations have evoked great anxiety for India as a proximate neighbour with critical stakes in regional security and stability. The mounting destruction and deaths and cessation of normal life and economic activities have deeply impacted India, as the situation in Gaza has grave humanitarian implications that call for a sustained ceasefire, humanitarian access and a credible pathway towards a durable and peaceful resolution based on a negotiated two-state solution with a sovereign, independent, viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security with Israel, within secure and recognised borders.
India called for respect for Lebanon's territorial integrity and sovereignty, emphasizing that Indian troops are deployed in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). As reported by Business Standard, India will be sending medical assistance to Lebanon and called for ensuring the safety and security of peacekeepers who carry out a vital mandate entrusted by the Council. Additionally, India announced it will be handing over $2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the next few days, which will be the first tranche of Delhi's annual five-million-dollar contribution to the agency. India has condemned attacks against UN peacekeepers deployed in Lebanon and called for an immediate and thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Parvathaneni criticized the eight-decade-old, outdated architecture of the Security Council, stating that it is a primary reason for the UN facing questions related to legitimacy, credibility and efficacy. According to Business Standard, he called for implementing real reforms through expansion of both permanent and non-permanent categories in line with current geopolitical realities. India emphasized that mediation frameworks are not fit for purpose forever and must adapt to new realities, citing the Palestine issue as an example of outdated mediation frameworks that are not relevant in today's context. Today's Gaza Peace Plan and the Board of Peace framework are very distinct as compared to earlier frameworks, he said, noting that raging conflicts in different parts of the world and the immeasurable human suffering are driving factors for the UN facing questions related to legitimacy, credibility and efficacy.
