PM Modi condemns attacks on UAE, stresses free passage through Strait of Hormuz

New Delhi: Even as Tehran pledged to welcome any constructive role by India to help bring peace in West Asia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday tacitly criticised Iran for carrying out attacks on the United Arab Emirates and stressed keeping the Strait of Hormuz “free, open and safe” in accordance with international laws.

 “Keeping Hormuz free, open and safe is our highest priority, and, in this matter, adherence to international laws is essential,” Modi said during a meeting with President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE. “We strongly condemn the attacks launched on the UAE. The way the UAE has been targeted is not acceptable in any form. We welcome the steps taken by you to uphold national unity, security and regional integrity,” added the prime minister, who was on a brief tour to Abu Dhabi on Friday. He, however, avoided naming Iran as the perpetrator of the attacks on the UAE.

His comment came a day after the representatives of Tehran and Abu Dhabi had a war of words at a BRICS meeting in New Delhi over the allegation of support provided by the UAE to Israel and the United States for carrying out strikes on Iran. As Abu Dhabi blamed Tehran for violating international laws by carrying out attacks on the UAE and other countries in the region, Iran responded by underlining that it had only targeted the military bases in its neighbourhood, as they had been allowed to be used by Israel and the US to carry out the attacks on it.

Hours before Modi landed in Abu Dhabi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Iranian Foreign Minister Syed Abbas Araghchi, who was in New Delhi to attend the BRICS conclave, had a bilateral meeting early on Friday.

“In fruitful engagement with my host @DrSJaishankar, discussed regional developments and clarified that Iran will always carry out its historical duty as protector of security in Hormuz,” Araghchi posted on X. “Iran is a reliable partner of all friendly nations, who can rely on safety of commerce.”

“Discussed the situation in West Asia and its implications. Also exchanged views on bilateral issues of mutual interest,” Jaishankar wrote on X.

Araghchi later addressed a news conference in New Delhi. “We hope that by the advancement of negotiations, we come to a good conclusion so that the Strait of Hormuz will be completely secured and we can expedite the normalisation of traffic in that Strait,” said the foreign Minister of Iran.

He said that while mediation efforts by Pakistan to end the conflict between Iran, on one side, and Israel and the US, on the other, had not failed, it had entered into a difficult course. “We appreciate any country that can help, particularly China. China has been helpful in the past in the resumption of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia. We have very good relations with China.”  

He also said that Iran would welcome any constructive role played by India to bring peace in West Asia.