New Delhi – Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, has said he does not rule out the possibility of Prime Minister Narendra Modi playing a mediating role in brokering peace between Israel and Iran, amid rising tensions in the region.
In an exclusive interview with IANS on Saturday, Azar referred to India as a “good friend” of Israel and noted that it also maintains “a good dialogue with the Iranians.”
“We respect Prime Minister Modi. I think he is a great leader who has been instrumental in India’s prosperity. We do not discard the possibility of him mediating between Israel and Iran,” Azar said when asked whether PM Modi could play a peace-making role.
The remarks come a day after Israel launched ‘Operation Rising Lion’, a targeted military campaign against Iran, aimed at countering what Israel claims is an existential nuclear threat. Following the operation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached out to key global leaders, including PM Modi, to brief them on the situation.
During the call, Modi expressed India’s concerns over the escalation and emphasized the urgent need for peace and stability in the region.
“India is a very good friend of Israel. Discussions were held at the highest levels yesterday. Our Prime Minister spoke to PM Modi, the national security advisors spoke, and the foreign ministers also connected. We know that India maintains a constructive dialogue with Iran too,” Azar noted.
The Israeli envoy also stressed the need for global action against terrorism and those who support or sponsor it.
“The international community needs to do more to punish terrorists and isolate states that fund or harbor them. The main challenge is how to persuade Iran’s extremist regime to act peacefully. The Iranian people want a future not shaped by a government investing billions in arms, regional dominance, and weapons of mass destruction. This must change, and we hope India can assist us in this,” he added.
India, meanwhile, issued a statement on Friday expressing “deep concern” over the growing tensions between Iran and Israel. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it is closely watching the situation, including reports of attacks on nuclear facilities.
“India urges both sides to avoid any steps that could escalate tensions. Existing diplomatic channels should be used to de-escalate and address the root issues. India maintains close, friendly relations with both nations and is ready to offer any necessary support. Our missions in both countries are in contact with the Indian community, and all Indian nationals are advised to stay alert, be cautious, and follow local security advisories,” the MEA said.
With inputs from IANS