President Emmanuel Macron stated that France and India are collaborating closely to alleviate tensions in West Asia and prioritize diplomacy in the pursuit of peace restoration in the region.
Responding to PM Modi's post on X, following their conversation, Macron said, "Thank you, my dear friend. India and France are working closely together to reduce tensions in the region and to keep diplomacy at the heart of our efforts for peace."
Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi engaged in a telephonic discussion with Macron, focusing on the current developments in West Asia and stressing the importance of reducing tensions swiftly and resuming diplomatic conversations.
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"Spoke with my dear friend, President Emmanuel Macron, on the situation in West Asia and the urgent need for de-escalation, as well as a return to dialogue and diplomacy. We look forward to continuing our close coordination to advance peace and stability in the region and beyond," PM Modi Stated in a post on X.
The discussion is taking place against a backdrop of increased tensions in the Middle East, where ongoing conflicts are influencing regional stability, global energy supply routes, and international markets.
The current conflict in the area commenced on February 28 with the assassination of 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, in coordinated military attacks carried out by the US and Israel. In response, Iran retaliated by targeting assets belonging to Israel and the US in various Gulf nations and Israel, resulting in disruptions to vital waterways and repercussions on the international energy markets and global economic equilibrium.
As a result of the ongoing conflict in the area, Iran has effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, an essential passageway for international energy distribution. Subsequent to the passing of Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the previous leader, was designated the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.
Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing in the national capital, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We are in touch with Iran on several issues." He added, "We continue to remain in touch with all concerned countries to ensure that our energy security needs are met and our energy supplies have an uninterrupted, unimpeded transit”.
In response to a distinct query regarding the availability of fertilizers, Jaiswal expressed that India presently possesses a sufficient supply for the upcoming Kharif season. He further indicated that the majority of the quantities placed with numerous suppliers are scheduled to be received by the conclusion of March, emphasizing India's adoption of a diversified strategy for fertilizer procurement.
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"Our fertiliser situation at this point in time, especially for kharif 2026, we have adequate stock, so we are comfortable. The Department of Fertilisers has also put out global tenders well in advance in anticipation of the current situation, and these have received a very good response. We expect the bulk of the quantities ordered from a variety of sources to arrive by the end of March. But having said that, let me say yes, we have a diversified approach towards procuring fertiliser imports, and we continue to be in touch with several countries in that regard”, he says.