New Delhi: India on Friday expressed deep concern over the mounting civilian casualties in Lebanon, as Israeli military operations intensify across the region. New Delhi underscored the urgent need to protect civilians, uphold international law, and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations.
The remarks came against the backdrop of sustained Israeli airstrikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon, launched following rocket attacks by Hezbollah on March 2. The ongoing hostilities have resulted in at least 1,800 deaths and 5,873 injuries, according to available estimates. A particularly devastating wave of strikes on Wednesday alone claimed 303 lives, raising fears of a breakdown in the fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States.
Addressing a media briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We are deeply concerned by reports of a large number of civilian casualties in Lebanon. As a troop-contributing country to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), India is closely invested in Lebanon’s peace and security, and the current trajectory of events is deeply disturbing.”
While Jaiswal did not explicitly name Israel, his remarks were widely viewed as a rare expression of concern over Israeli actions in the region. He reiterated that adherence to international law and the protection of civilians must remain paramount.
The Indian Embassy in Beirut is maintaining close contact with the Indian community—estimated at around 1,000 people—to ensure their safety amid the escalating crisis.
Intensified Strikes Threaten Fragile Truce
The situation deteriorated sharply on Wednesday when Israeli forces reportedly struck more than 100 targets across Lebanon within minutes, despite indications that the Iran–US ceasefire framework extended to Lebanese territory. The scale of the assault marked one of the deadliest episodes since the end of Lebanon’s civil war in 1990, with over 1,150 people injured in a single day.
Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the strikes, stating they violated the ceasefire understanding and risked undermining ongoing diplomatic efforts. The conflict has also triggered a humanitarian crisis, with more than 1.1 million people reportedly displaced over the past month.
India Closely Monitoring Regional Developments
India is closely tracking the evolving situation in West Asia, particularly in light of its energy security interests. Qatar remains India’s largest supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), making regional stability a strategic priority.
As part of ongoing diplomatic outreach, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri visited Qatar on April 9–10, while External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to visit the United Arab Emirates on April 11–12 to reinforce bilateral ties and energy cooperation.
Jaiswal noted that India has also extended support to neighbouring countries, including supplying 38,000 metric tonnes of fuel to Sri Lanka and advancing agreements for energy supplies to Mauritius.
In addition, India has facilitated the evacuation of 2,180 nationals from Iran via Armenia and Azerbaijan, reflecting its proactive approach to safeguarding citizens amid regional instability.
Reaffirming India’s diplomatic stance, Jaiswal said the country continues to engage actively with regional partners, advocating de-escalation and a return to dialogue to ensure lasting peace and stability.
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