India on Saturday, February 28, called on all parties involved in the escalating military confrontation across West Asia to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation, stressing that the safety of civilians must remain the highest priority. The Ministry of External Affairs said dialogue and diplomacy were essential to reduce tensions following the rapid spread of hostilities involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The ministry stated that sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations must be respected while efforts should continue to address the underlying causes of the conflict through peaceful means.
New Delhi expressed deep concern over the latest developments in Iran and the wider Gulf region, noting that Indian missions in affected countries are in constant contact with Indian nationals. According to the statement, advisories have been issued asking citizens to remain vigilant, maintain communication with embassies, and follow local security instructions as the situation continues to evolve.
The government did not announce any evacuation plans, but disruptions to airspace in parts of West Asia have already affected civil aviation. Several international routes were impacted as intense military activity led to flight cancellations and the suspension of air operations in multiple countries. The Ministry of Civil Aviation said the minister had conducted a comprehensive review of preparedness measures with all stakeholders to handle possible diversions and emergency landings.
Airports across India, particularly major international hubs, have been placed on operational alert to manage unexpected flight movements and passenger assistance requirements. Leading carriers, including Air India and IndiGo, temporarily suspended certain operations citing security concerns linked to the ongoing conflict and restricted airspace in the region.
The current escalation follows joint military strikes by the United States and Israel targeting multiple locations inside Iran after recent nuclear negotiations failed to produce an agreement. The strikes reportedly hit government facilities in Tehran as well as sites suspected to be linked to nuclear activity.
In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched retaliatory operations, firing missiles toward Israeli targets and American military bases across West Asia. Reports indicated that projectiles were directed toward the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, one of the largest American installations in the region, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
