Modi Outlines West Asia Conflict Response in Parliament

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed India's lower house of Parliament on Monday, outlining the government's response to the escalating West Asia conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran nearly a month ago, while opposition leaders criticized the speech for lacking a clear condemnation of the strikes and failing to propose a full parliamentary debate.

Modi spoke in the Lok Sabha amid growing tensions in the region, which have disrupted global energy supplies and affected India's economy. The conflict erupted on February 28 when joint U.S. and Israeli military operations killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, prompting Iranian retaliation against U.S. and Israeli assets in Gulf countries and Israel. Iran has since targeted energy infrastructure in the Gulf and threatened disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for international trade. As of Monday, the war had entered its fourth week, with Israel reporting continued missile fire from Iran and Saudi Arabia intercepting drones near its oil facilities. The U.S. has intensified its involvement, deploying additional warships and Marines while conducting strikes on Iranian...