Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that military conflict cannot resolve global disputes, emphasising that dialogue and diplomacy remain the most effective paths toward peace.
His remarks come as tensions intensify in the ongoing conflict involving United States, Iran, and Israel, which has significantly affected the wider West Asia region.
The prime minister made the statement during a joint press briefing in New Delhi with Alexander Stubb, the president of Finland.
India Emphasises Dialogue and Rule of Law
Addressing the media, Modi highlighted India’s long-standing position on international conflicts, stating that peaceful engagement should remain the priority for resolving disputes.
“India and Finland believe in the rule o sef law, dialogue, and diplomacy. Military conflict alone cannot solve any issue, whether it is in Ukraine or West Asia,” Modi said during the joint statement.
He also stressed that global institutions require urgent reforms to effectively address emerging geopolitical challenges.
Rising Tensions in West Asia
The prime minister’s remarks come amid intense missile and drone exchanges between Iran and US–Israeli forces, which have shaken the Middle East region.
The latest escalation followed strikes carried out by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets, which reportedly resulted in the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
In a related development, an Iranian naval ship — IRIS Dena — was struck by a missile near the coast of Sri Lanka earlier this week, resulting in dozens of casualties.
Iranian Warship’s Visit to India
Iranian authorities stated that the vessel had previously visited Visakhapatnam in India to participate in the International Fleet Review, a multinational naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy from February 16 to February 25.
Government sources clarified that the ship and its crew were hosted in India only during that period and had not sought any assistance from India after leaving the event.
India–Europe Partnership Highlighted
During the meeting, Modi also noted that the world is currently experiencing a period of uncertainty and geopolitical instability, with conflicts ongoing in several regions including Eastern Europe and West Asia.
Despite these challenges, he said that relations between India and Europe are entering a “golden era” of cooperation.
The prime minister highlighted the recently signed India–European Union Free Trade Agreement, which is expected to boost trade, investment, and technology collaboration between India and European countries, including Finland.
He added that India and Finland are strengthening cooperation in digital technology, infrastructure development, and sustainability, areas considered vital for global economic growth and stability.
Call for Global Stability
Modi concluded by stressing that greater international cooperation and diplomatic engagement are necessary to address global crises and maintain stability.
His remarks reinforce India’s consistent diplomatic approach of encouraging peaceful dialogue over military escalation in resolving international disputes.
