Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, as tensions escalated sharply in the Middle East following the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and retaliatory Iranian strikes across the region.
In a post on X early Monday, PM Modi said, "Had a telephone call with PM Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the current regional situation. Conveyed India's concerns over recent developments and emphasised the safety of civilians as a priority. India reiterates the need for an early cessation of hostilities."
The outreach came hours after Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), India's highest decision-making body on security and strategic affairs, shortly after returning to New Delhi from a two-day tour of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
According to sources cited by PTI, the CCS reviewed the rapidly evolving situation following the joint US-Israel attack on Iran and the death of Khamenei. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended the meeting, along with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other senior officials.
Discussions focused on the safety of Indian nationals in the Middle East and contingency plans in case the conflict intensifies. Nearly 10,000 Indians live in Iran, more than 40,000 in Israel, and about nine million across West Asia and the Gulf.
Airspace disruptions across the region have left hundreds of Indians stranded in Dubai, Doha and other major transit hubs following widespread flight cancellations.
The CCS is also understood to have reviewed the potential impact of Iran's reported closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for India's oil imports. The Ministry of External Affairs said Indian missions remain in constant contact with nationals, and helplines have been activated.
Modi's call with Netanyahu followed an earlier conversation with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during which he condemned recent attacks on the United Arab Emirates and expressed solidarity.
