PM Modi speaks to Israeli PM, UAE President, chairs CCS meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Sunday late hours as tensions escalated sharply in the Middle East following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and retaliatory Iranian strikes across the region.In a post on X early on Monday, PM Modi said, "Had a telephone call with PM Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the current regional situation. Conveyed India’s concerns over recent developments and emphasised the safety of civilians as a priority. India reiterates the need for an early cessation of hostilities."

Had a telephone call with PM Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the current regional situation. Conveyed India's concerns over recent developments and emphasised the safety of civilians as a priority. India reiterates the need for an early cessation of hostilities.@netanyahu

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 1, 2026

PM Modi also spoke with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and strongly criticised the attacks on the Gulf country. “Spoke with President of the UAE, my brother Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Strongly condemned the attacks on the UAE and condoled the loss of lives in these attacks. India stands in solidarity with the UAE in these difficult times,” he wrote on X. Modi added, “Thanked him for taking care of the Indian community living in the UAE. We support de-escalation, regional peace, security and stability.”

Spoke with President of the UAE, my brother Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Strongly condemned the attacks on the UAE and condoled the loss of lives in these attacks. India stands in solidarity with the UAE in these difficult times.

Thanked him for taking care of the Indian…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 1, 2026

The outreach came hours after PM Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), India's highest decision-making body on security and strategic affairs. The meeting was held shortly after his return to New Delhi from a two-day tour of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The meeting, which was attended by committee members, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, was briefed by top officials on the prevailing situation in West Asia and its implications on India, as per agency report. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, principal secretaries to the prime minister, P K Mishra and Shaktikanta Das, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri also attended the meeting.
It is believed that the meeting discussed the safety of Indian nationals living in West Asia, and also those who are stranded, and how to deal with the situation if it deteriorates, the report said. The meeting is also learnt to have taken stock of the situation arising out of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which is a major shipping route for Indian oil carriers, by the Iranian authorities.
There are around 10,000 Indian citizens who live, study and work in Iran, while over 40,000 live in Israel. The number of Indians living in the Gulf and West Asia is about nine million. In the past, India successfully evacuated thousands of its nationals from different parts of the world, including West Asia, amid conflicts. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Indian missions across the region are in continuous contact with its nationals, while helplines have also been activated.