India managed to protect around 10 million Indians living and working in Gulf countries and maintain energy supplies despite escalating conflict across West Asia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told a parliamentary panel, according to a CNN-News18 report.

Jaishankar briefed the Consultative Committee of Parliament on External Affairs on India's engagement with Gulf countries during the deteriorating regional security situation. The briefing focused on three priorities: protecting Indian nationals, ensuring uninterrupted oil and gas supplies and maintaining diplomatic engagement with regional partners.

The developments are particularly significant for India because of its large diaspora in the Gulf and the region's importance to the country's energy security, trade and connectivity.

10 Million Indians Protected

The safety of around 10 million Indians across Gulf countries remained a key priority for the government as the conflict intensified.

Indian workers have a major presence across construction, healthcare, transport, hospitality, services, finance and other sectors in Gulf economies. A prolonged regional crisis could affect their safety, employment and ability to travel.

Jaishankar told lawmakers that the government had taken steps to safeguard the interests of Indian citizens as security conditions deteriorated.

The Gulf diaspora is also economically important for India because of remittances and extensive business and family links between the region and the country.

Oil Supplies Remained Secure

India also managed to maintain oil and gas supplies despite the regional conflict, according to the report.

The Gulf remains critical to India's energy requirements. Any disruption to production, shipping routes or oil infrastructure can push up crude prices and increase freight and insurance costs.

For India, such an escalation could eventually affect inflation, transport costs and the broader economy.

Maintaining reliable energy flows therefore became a central part of New Delhi's response as the security situation worsened.

Gulf Diplomacy Intensified

Alongside efforts to protect citizens and energy supplies, India stepped up diplomatic engagement with countries across the Gulf.

According to the report, Jaishankar briefed the parliamentary panel on India's discussions with regional partners, including issues related to connectivity.

India's Gulf engagement has expanded considerably beyond traditional energy ties. Trade, investment, logistics, infrastructure and connectivity projects have become increasingly important components of the relationship.

Maintaining communication with multiple regional governments has also allowed New Delhi to protect its interests while avoiding alignment with any single side in the region's complex geopolitical tensions.

Connectivity Gets Focus

Connectivity was another element discussed during India's engagement with Gulf partners.

The Gulf is strategically important for India's trade routes linking the country with West Asia, Europe and Africa. Ports, shipping corridors and logistics networks therefore have significance beyond commercial activity.

India's efforts to deepen connectivity partnerships also fit into its broader strategy of expanding economic and strategic links with Gulf economies.

The approach has gained importance as regional instability threatens established transport and supply routes.

Energy Security At Stake

The West Asia conflict has highlighted India's exposure to developments in the Gulf.

Even when physical oil supplies remain available, instability can affect global crude prices, shipping premiums and delivery costs. India, as one of the world's major energy consumers, remains sensitive to such changes.

By maintaining supplies during the crisis, the government sought to reduce the immediate economic impact of regional instability.

However, continued uncertainty means energy markets and shipping routes will remain closely watched by Indian policymakers.

Brics Summit Approaches

Jaishankar's briefing comes ahead of the Brics summit, which India is scheduled to host in New Delhi on September 12 and 13 as the grouping's chair.

The summit provides another major diplomatic platform for India as it manages relations with countries across competing geopolitical blocs.

India's Gulf engagement is also part of a wider foreign-policy approach that seeks to maintain strong relationships with multiple partners while protecting national interests.

India Balances Multiple Risks

The government's handling of the West Asia crisis illustrates the interconnected challenges facing India's foreign policy: protecting citizens overseas, securing energy supplies and maintaining economic and diplomatic relationships during a regional conflict.

The safety of the large Indian diaspora remains a priority, while uninterrupted energy flows are essential for economic stability.

With the Brics summit approaching, India's ability to maintain engagement with Gulf partners while navigating wider geopolitical tensions will remain an important test of its diplomatic strategy.