External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar informed the Rajya Sabha that Iran expressed gratitude to India for permitting the Iranian warship IRIS Lavan to dock at Kochi port.

The docking was described as a “humane gesture” by India. Contacts with Iranian leadership remain difficult at present, he noted.

The IRIS Lavan had reported a technical malfunction while operating near Sri Lanka, following the sinking of another Iranian warship, IRIS Dena. The Indian government approved Tehran’s request on March 1, allowing the vessel to dock at Kochi port in Kerala for urgent assistance.

EAM Jaishankar addresses the Lok Sabha on Iran war and West Asia crisis. “We want West Asia to remain stable. India’s Tehran Embassy remain fully functional. Dialogue and discussion must be held to de-escalate the situation. Government assessing the situation in West Asia. One crore Indians live in Gulf countries. Gulf is also a major trade partner. West Asia region crucial for India’s energy security,” said Jaishankar.

The Opposition protested in the House as the Foreign Minister spoke.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said two Indian merchant mariners have died and one remains missing amid the West Asia conflict. He added that IRIS Lavan docked at an Indian port on March 4 after permission was granted.

India has expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict in West Asia, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar warning that the situation has significant implications for the country. Speaking in the Parliament, he said India has clear stakes in maintaining stability in the region as it is a neighbouring area and a key partner in trade and energy supplies.

Jaishankar noted that nearly one crore Indians live and work across Gulf nations, while several thousand Indians are present in Iran for studies and employment. He said the region remains crucial for India’s energy security, as many major suppliers of oil and gas are located there.

The minister added that the conflict has intensified and the security situation has deteriorated significantly, with the crisis spreading to other countries. He warned that serious supply chain disruptions and growing instability are affecting normal life and economic activity across the region.

The Cabinet Committee on Security briefed Narendra Modi on the evolving Iran war and West Asia Conflict, with discussions also focusing on the safety and well-being of the Indian community across the affected region.

The second leg of the Budget session of Parliament kicked-off in both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.

INDIA bloc leaders met in Parliament to discuss the strategy for the second part of the Budget session of Parliament.

Ahead of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s statement in Parliament on the situation in West Asia, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said she was keen to hear what the minister would say. The statement is expected in the Parliament of India amid rising regional tensions.

On the no-confidence motion against Om Birla, BJD MP Sasmit Patra said the parliamentary session would be significant. He urged MPs across parties to prioritise dialogue and discussion, adding the government should remain open to hearing the Opposition’s concerns in the Lok Sabha.

LoP and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reaches Parliament ahead of the budget session.

Congress Lok Sabha MPs to meet at 10.30 AM in the Congress Parliamentary Party office, in Parliament today.

Commenting on the no-confidence motion against Om Birla, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said the ruling party should reflect on why such a step was taken. He alleged that since Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, the government has been unwilling to accept the opposition in Parliament. Raut claimed the government does not allow the House to function properly and that the Leader of the Opposition is often humiliated, with microphones switched off in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

On the External Affairs Minister’s upcoming statement on the West Asia situation, Raut said the opposition would raise questions once the minister presents his remarks in Parliament.

Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala has given a Suspension of Business notice in the Rajya Sabha under Rule 267, seeking an immediate discussion on the implications for India arising from tensions in West Asia.

Congress MP Manish Tewari has given an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha seeking suspension of Question Hour and other business to discuss the escalating West Asia conflict and its impact on India’s energy security.

The motion reads, “I move that this House do suspend Question Hour, Zero Hour and all other listed business of the day to take up the serious concerns emanating from the escalating conflict in West Asia, and its implications on India’s energy security.”

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has demanded a full-fledged discussion in Parliament on the evolving situation in West Asia. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is scheduled to make a statement in the Lok Sabha on the crisis, according to the official list of business. Ramesh said ministerial statements usually repeat information already known and do not allow MPs to seek clarifications or ask questions. He said the Opposition wants a proper debate, recalling the 2003 Lok Sabha discussion on the US invasion of Iraq when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was Prime Minister.

Several ministers are scheduled to lay official papers on the Table of the House. These include Pankaj Chaudhary for the Ministry of Finance, Nityanand Rai for the Ministry of Home Affairs, Suresh Gopi for the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Raksha Nikhil Khadse for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sukanta Majumdar for the Ministry of Education and Harsh Malhotra for the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will make a statement regarding “The Situation in West Asia.”

Welcome to our live blog as the second half of Parliament’s Budget Session begins today. Follow real-time updates on the motion against Speaker Om Birla and discussions on the escalating West Asia conflict.