Doha, Qatar: During the Doha Forum 2024, India’s Minister of External Affairs, H.E. Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, emphasized the significant impact that developments in the Middle East have on countries worldwide, including India, particularly in light of the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip.

Dr. Jaishankar noted that while India is geographically distant from this region, it maintains strong connections through various channels. He highlighted that approximately half a million Indians reside in Mediterranean countries, contributing to a trade volume of around $80 billion. Furthermore, over 10 million Indians live in Gulf nations, with trade between India and these countries reaching approximately $180 billion.

The Minister articulated that the recent turmoil has led to increasing instability in the region, which is deteriorating further. He pointed out that the repercussions of these incidents are manifested in rising shipping costs, disruptions in trade movement, and other related challenges.