New Delhi: India has urged an end to attacks on energy infrastructure in West Asia, warning that such strikes will impact liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies to the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to the leadership of France, Malaysia, Qatar, Jordan, and Oman to discuss efforts to restore peace and stability in the region.
Following an Israeli strike on Iran's South Pars gasfield, Tehran ratcheted up pressure on several West Asian countries by attacking their energy facilities, including the Ras Laffan LNG hub in Qatar, a country that accounts for over 40% of India's global LNG imports.
Modi said attacks on energy infrastructure in West Asia are 'condemnable and can lead to avoidable escalation.'
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said such attacks 'are unacceptable and need to cease,' adding that recent attacks on energy installations in the region are 'deeply disturbing' and will further destabilise an already uncertain energy scenario.
The Indian side is engaged in discussions with all stakeholders in the region to secure the country's energy needs and ensure unimpeded transit of cargo.
Modi continued his outreach to the leadership of Arab states and other influential global players by discussing the West Asian conflict with Qatar's Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Jordan's King Abdullah II, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
