NEW DELHI 

ndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reiterated his call for de-escalation in the Middle East in separate phone calls with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, French President Emmanuel Macron and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

After his call with the Omani sultan, Modi said he reiterated New Delhi's "condemnation of the violation of Oman’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” adding India and Oman “stand for safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.”

In separate statements on the US social media company X, Modi said he discussed the situation in the Middle East with Macron and called for “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,” he said.

On his call with Malaysia’s Ibrahim, Modi said he “discussed the deeply concerning situation” and “reaffirmed our shared commitment to de-escalation and the early restoration of peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy.”

Tensions in the Middle East remain high since the US and Israel initiated a large-scale military campaign against Iran, so far killing more than 1,200 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Tehran retaliated, hitting US bases in the Gulf region, and has taken de facto control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy supplies.