'We did not ...': India distances itself from SCO statement on Iran-Israel conflict

NEW DELHI: India connected Saturday distanced itself from a connection issued by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) condemning caller Israeli strikes connected Iran, clarifying that it did not enactment successful the discussions that led to the group's remarks.In a statement, the ministry of outer affairs (MEA) said, “The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has issued a connection connected caller developments betwixt Israel and Iran. India did not enactment successful the discussions connected the above-mentioned SCO statement.”The MEA reaffirmed India's autarkic stance connected the Israel-Iran tensions, archetypal articulated connected June 13, and reiterated its telephone for calm and dialogue. “We impulse that channels of dialog and diplomacy beryllium utilised to enactment towards de-escalation.

It is indispensable that the planetary assemblage undertake endeavours successful that direction,” the connection read.

External affairs curate S Jaishankar besides conveyed India’s concerns straight to his Iranian counterpart during a caller conversation. According to the MEA, Jaishankar highlighted the planetary community's heavy interest implicit the rising tensions and emphasized the request to debar further escalation and instrumentality to diplomatic engagement.

The SCO connection had powerfully denounced Israel’s strikes connected Iranian territory, describing them arsenic “aggressive actions against civilian targets, including vigor and transport infrastructure,” which it said caused civilian casualties and violated planetary instrumentality and the UN Charter. It besides reaffirmed enactment for resolving tensions astir Iran’s atomic programme done peaceful and diplomatic means and expressed condolences to the Iranian radical and government. India, however, reiterated its autarkic stance, archetypal stated connected June 13, which emphasized restraint, dialogue, and diplomacy. “India urges some sides to debar immoderate escalatory steps. Existing channels of dialog and diplomacy should beryllium utilised to enactment towards a de-escalation of the concern and resolving underlying issues,” the earlier MEA connection had said.

The ministry added that Jaishankar had precocious spoken with his Iranian counterpart, conveying the heavy interest of the planetary assemblage and reiterating the request to debar further escalation and instrumentality to diplomatic processes. India emphasized its “close and affable relations with some countries” and reaffirmed its readiness to widen enactment towards efforts for peace. The MEA besides noted that Indian missions successful Iran and Israel stay successful interaction with the Indian community, advising nationals to stay cautious and travel section advisories.