Sanjay Raut says govt avoiding Parliament debate on West Asia conflict

Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday criticised the Centre alleging that the government is avoiding a detailed discussion in Parliament on the implications of the escalating conflict in West Asia and its potential impact on India reported news agency ANISpeaking to reporters during the ongoing Parliament Budget Session Raut said the opposition had demanded a discussion in both Houses on the geopolitical developments in the region but the government had not allowed a debate reported ANIOpposition demands discussion on regional conflictRaut said the issue was raised in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha as opposition leaders sought a discussion on how the conflict in West Asia could affect Indiarsquos security economy and energy suppliesldquoThe issue of the noconfidence motion against the Speaker will keep going Yesterday there was a demand in both Houses to discuss the implications of the ongoing conflict in the nearby region on Indiardquo Raut said reported ANIHe argued that examining the consequences of the conflict is in the national interest and should be debated in ParliamentldquoTo discuss the implications of the conflict is in the interest of the nation but the government does not want to talk about itrdquo he added reported ANIRaut questions Centrersquos stance in ParliamentThe Shiv Sena UBT leader also criticised the statement made by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Parliament on Monday regarding the situation in West AsiaRaut said the minister spoke about peace and diplomacy while tensions were escalating in regions close to IndialdquoThe External Affairs Minister spoke about lsquopeacersquo when there is unrest in areas around our countryrdquo Raut said while also questioning the governmentrsquos broader approach to the situation reported ANIHe further asked what Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been doing in Israel before the conflict began raising concerns over Indiarsquos diplomatic engagement in the regionJaishankar stresses peace safety of IndiansDuring his statement in Parliament on Monday Jaishankar said that the conflict in West Asia is a matter of serious concern for India given the countryrsquos strong economic and strategic ties with the regionHe noted that India has significant stakes in maintaining peace and stability in West AsialdquoWe are a neighbouring region and understandably have obvious stakes in West Asia remaining stable and peacefulrdquo Jaishankar said reported ANIThe minister also pointed out that nearly one crore Indians live and work in Gulf countries while a few thousand Indian citizens are currently in Iran for study or employmentAccording to the government ensuring the safety and wellbeing of these citizens remains a top priorityGovernment calls for dialogue and deescalationJaishankar reiterated that India supports diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and resolve the conflict through peaceful meansldquoIndia is in favour of peace and urges a return to dialogue and diplomacy We advocate deescalation restraint and ensuring the safety of civiliansrdquo he said reported ANIThe minister also emphasised that Indiarsquos energy security is closely linked to stability in the region which supplies a large share of the countryrsquos oil and gas importsWest Asia tensions escalate after military strikesTensions in West Asia have sharply escalated following the killing of Iranrsquos Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in joint military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel on February 28The strikes also killed several senior leaders of Iranrsquos ruling establishment triggering a strong retaliatory response from TehranIran subsequently launched counterstrikes targeting American military bases in several Arab countries and Israeli assets across the region Israel along with the United States continued military operations in Tehran and expanded attacks to Lebanon targeting Hezbollah and other Iranbacked militant groupsThe intensifying conflict has raised global concerns about regional stability energy security and the safety of expatriate communities including millions of Indians living and working across West AsiaWith inputs from ANI