New Delhi, April 1 (IANS) A former diplomat on Wednesday lauded Indian government’s approach towards the ongoing conflict in West Asia, highlighting that New Delhi has diversified its sources of energy supply and is also able to secure the safe transit of its vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

In an interview with IANS, Sikri stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is constantly reviewing the situation with regards to the ongoing conflict as situation remains highly unpredictable.

On being asked on what strategy India should adopt regarding energy security and diplomatic engagement if the situation deteriorates further, former diplomat Veena Sikri responded, “India has wasted no time at all. We have been looking at energy security from day one and we have already diversified our sources of supply. We have done two or three things. One, in consultation, in negotiation with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, we have been able to get permission for many Indian ships to come through the Strait of Hormuz and even more, I hope, will come in the next few days.”

“In addition to that, we have been able to increase our purchase of Russian oil and perhaps even natural gas. And with that, we have been able to ensure our energy security. But it’s a constantly changing situation. And even today, our Prime Minister is convening a cabinet committee on security because we have to go on looking at the situation. When a war is taking place, anything can change at any time and it can suddenly get worse. So, that is why our government, our Prime Minister, they are constantly reviewing the situation, constantly putting new aspects of the plan in place,” she added.

The ongoing conflict in West Asia has raised concerns over regional stability and global energy markets, particularly due to the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil transit route.

On March 21, PM Modi spoke with Pezeshkian, discussing the current security situation in the West Asia region. During the call, PM Modi condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region and also asserted the significance of safeguarding freedom of navigation along with keeping the shipping lanes open and secure.

“I think to say that it is limited war is hardly correct because it is really a maximum war. All the missiles being used to attack Iran, maximum, very expensive. I think people are saying billions of dollars already used up and what has happened is that the attack on Iran on 28th February, Israel and USA thought that if Supreme Leader Khamenei is killed, then all the organisational structure of Iran will collapse and they will not be able to resist the attack. But this has not happened. Iran had already planned for this and had already decentralised and the IRGC has its own units and their targets already assigned. So, they have been doing their resistance and they’ve been attacking the Gulf countries. It has impacted the economic infrastructure in these Gulf countries. Some oil fields like in gas field like in Qatar, the Ras Laffan gas field has been affected, 17 per cent of the production has been stopped, it will take USD 26 billion and five years to repair that.”

“So, this is hardly minor. It is very, very significant and major. But, the original impact may have been okay, limited war with maximum, but that has not been achieved because Iran’s reaction has made sure that the Americans are committing more and more and more and today evening (Thursday morning, India time) there’s going to be a special address by US President Trump. We don’t know whether he is going to announce departure from Iran or he’s going to announce boots on the ground. That means he has already collected something like 50,000 troops and more from America who are now in the Gulf region. Originally they were 40,000 but 10,000 or so more have come through the Marine Expeditionary Units, through amphibious assault groups, through the Barrett Troopers, and additional troops. So, it’s a major situation. Now all these people have been called there I don’t think he’s going to send them back just like that so maybe there will be an attack on Kharg Island or some land target that they will have agreed we will probably hear about it today and whether this is a risk-free attack is difficult to say,” she added.

–IANS

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