Amid the West Asia escalation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called for a strong Centre given the prevailing uncertainty and tension on a global scale, particularly in areas of conflict.

“The BJP steadfastly takes bold and challenging decisions in the nation’s interest, prioritising the country over the party itself,” the Prime Minister said at the party’s poll manifesto release, referring to the several conflicts the world is grappling with. 

Modi exhorted people to give another mandate to his party to shape India’s ‘destiny’ for the next 1,000 years and  the need for a stable Government with full majority was necessary when the world is passing through uncertain times.

India called for immediate de-escalation of the situation after Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles at Israel in a retaliatory attack.  New Delhi favoured diplomacy and dialogue to defuse tension.

This appeal came hours after Iran launched drones and missiles at Israel and India said it is concerned over escalating hostilities between the two sides that threaten regional peace and security.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday called for an immediate de-escalation. He also called the situation a “matter of deep concern”.

He shared these views in an exclusive conversation with a private television channel. 

“It is a matter of deep concern because it represents an escalation in this situation, something which worries all of us,” Jaishankar said.

“We have for some time been concerned about the situation there starting with the October 7 attack on Israel, escalating into other dimensions and other zones which is deeply worrying. We have particular stakes in that region,” he added.

“Right now we have advised people not to travel to Israel or Iran. We have asked those who are already there to take utmost precaution. That’s the sensible thing to do right now. We will watch what happens further and if we have to issue advisories or take steps, we will do that,” Jaishankar said.

Iran carried out the attack on Israel in response to a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus on April 1 in which seven Iranian Revolutionary Guards personnel, including two generals, were killed.

New Delhi said its embassies in the region are in close touch with the Indian community in the region.

“We are seriously concerned at the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran which threatens the peace and security in the region,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

“We call for immediate de-escalation, exercise of restraint, stepping back from violence and return to the path of diplomacy,” it said.

The MEA said India is closely monitoring the evolving situation in West Asia. “We are closely monitoring the evolving situation. Our Embassies in the region are in close touch with Indian community,” it said in a statement.

“It is vital that security and stability are maintained in the region,” it added.

On Saturday, the Iranian military seized a cargo ship with Israeli links near the Strait of Hormuz. The ship has 17 Indian crew members.  India is in touch with Iran to secure the release of Indians onboard the Portuguese-flagged vessel ‘MSC Aries’.

Following Iran’s attack, the Israeli military said it and its allies have intercepted the majority of more than 300 drones and missiles fired by Iran.

US President Joe Biden said the American military helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles launched by Iran.

“Earlier today, Iran and its proxies operating out of Yemen, Syria and Iraq, launched an unprecedented air attack against military facilities in Israel. I condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms,” he said in a statement.

“At my direction, to support the defence of Israel, the US military moved aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the region over the course of the past week,” Biden said.

“Thanks to these deployments and the extraordinary skill of our service members, we helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles,” he said.

The US president also spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and reaffirmed Washington’s “ironclad” commitment to the security of Israel.

“Tomorrow, I will convene my fellow G7 leaders to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack. My team will engage with their counterparts across the region,” Biden said.

“And we will stay in close touch with Israel’s leaders. And while we have not seen attacks on our forces or facilities today, we will remain vigilant to all threats and will not hesitate to take all necessary action to protect our people,” he said.