NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri on Thursday stated that India must persist in its focus on development and human capital creation despite the ongoing crisis in West Asia, emphasizing that external challenges should not derail the country's growth trajectory.
India's Role in West Asia Crisis
Speaking at a press briefing on the 11th Governing Council Meeting, Lahiri noted that India is actively addressing the situation through diplomatic channels while continuing to pursue domestic development goals. He remarked, "You can't change the wind; you can only trim your sails. The West Asia crisis, India is playing its role, our foreign ministry is playing its role."
Human Capital Development Priority
Emphasizing the need to stay focused on long-term priorities, Lahiri highlighted that India remains the world's fastest-growing major economy. He said, "But what we have to do as we are growing is that we are the fastest-growing major economies in the world. So what we are doing is we have to keep doing our homework and which is actually the development of human capital."
Lahiri underscored that geopolitical developments should not halt India's progress, adding, "Just because the West Asia crisis is there, we can't be paralysed. We have to keep doing our work, and that was what was happening."
Strait of Hormuz Navigation
Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated India's position on ensuring "unimpeded and safe navigation" through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law, expressing concern over recent US strikes on three commercial vessels carrying Indian seafarers. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal hoped the attacks would "come to an end" soon.
Addressing a special briefing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to France and Slovakia, Jaiswal said India has consistently advocated for free and secure movement of vessels through the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz. "We have stated our position in the Strait of Hormuz. We would like, we want, and we have urged that there be unimpeded and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, keeping with international law. So that is our position. This is a topic which will come up for discussion, and we'll put our points across," Jaiswal said.
US Strikes on Commercial Vessels
Speaking on the US strikes on three foreign-flagged commercial vessels carrying Indian seafarers, which led to the death of three, Jaiswal said India is closely monitoring developments and hopes the situation de-escalates at the earliest. "We are deeply concerned at these attacks and hope and expect these will come to an end," he added.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that American forces struck the Guinea-Bissau-flagged oil tanker MT Jalveer, carrying 20 Indian seafarers, in the Gulf of Oman, claiming the ship violated the US blockade against Iran. According to a CENTCOM statement, the vessel attempted to transport Iranian oil and failed to comply with repeated directions from US forces. At around 11:20 pm ET on June 10, two Hellfire missiles were fired into the ship's engine room to stop its movement.
This marks the third commercial vessel attacked by US forces in the Gulf of Oman this week. Earlier, Palau-flagged vessels MT Marivex and MT Settebello were disabled on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, for attempting to transport Iranian oil.
