Kashmir Impulse Desk

New Delhi, July 8

India on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the renewed escalation of hostilities in West Asia following attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and urged all sides to exercise restraint, warning that the conflict could threaten regional stability and global energy supplies.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that a fresh exchange of military strikes between the United States and Iran raised fears that a fragile ceasefire had collapsed.

“India is deeply concerned over the recent attacks and escalation of tensions in West Asia, which have followed fresh targeting of commercial shipping transiting international waterways in the region,” the ministry said.

It said the latest developments risked undermining peace, security and stability in the region and stressed the need to protect civilian lives and ensure the uninterrupted movement of energy supplies and international commerce.

“India calls upon all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and ensure protection of civilians as well as the uninterrupted flow of energy supplies and commerce,” the ministry said.

It also urged the parties to resume diplomatic engagement.

“We urge the parties to return to dialogue and diplomacy to achieve a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict,” the statement added.

The appeal came hours after the United States launched strikes on Iranian military installations, saying the action was in retaliation for attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran later responded by launching missiles and drones targeting US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait, further intensifying the confrontation.

US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire with Iran was effectively “over” and warned that additional military operations could follow, while also renewing threats to target Iranian civilian infrastructure and strategic oil export facilities.

The latest escalation has heightened concerns over the security of one of the world’s busiest energy shipping lanes, through which a significant share of global crude oil exports passes, raising the prospect of further disruptions to international energy markets.

India, which imports a substantial portion of its crude oil requirements from the Gulf region, has consistently called for dialogue and peaceful resolution of conflicts in West Asia, while emphasising the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation and stability in international sea lanes.