The second half of the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament began on a turbulent note on Monday, as Opposition members disrupted proceedings during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s statement on the situation in West Asia.
As Jaishankar began his address in the Rajya Sabha, Opposition MPs raised slogans and protested, leading to repeated interruptions.
During his statement, the minister informed the House that Iran had thanked India for allowing an Iranian naval vessel, IRIS Lavan, to dock at Kochi port as a humanitarian gesture.
“Contacts with Iran at the leadership level are obviously difficult at this time. Iran’s foreign minister has expressed his country’s thanks to India for this humane gesture of permitting the Iranian warship Lavan to dock at Kochi port,” Jaishankar said.
He further revealed that while another Iranian warship, IRIS Dena, was sinking near Sri Lanka, the vessel IRIS Lavan had already approached India for assistance due to a technical malfunction while operating in the region.
According to the minister, the Centre approved Tehran’s request on March 1, allowing the warship to dock at Kochi port in Kerala.
Jaishankar also highlighted India’s strategic concerns regarding stability in West Asia. “We are a neighbouring region and have obvious stakes in ensuring that West Asia remains stable,” he said.
The minister noted that nearly one crore Indians live and work in Gulf nations, while several thousand Indians are currently studying or employed in Iran. He also emphasised that the region plays a critical role in India’s energy security, with several key suppliers of oil and gas located there.
“Serious supply chain disruptions and a climate of instability are major concerns,” he added.
Jaishankar further informed Parliament that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken with the leaders of several countries, including the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, Israel and Bahrain, urging all sides to de-escalate tensions.
“Developments in West Asia are of deep concern for all of us. Dialogue and diplomacy are the only solution,” the minister said while referring to the escalating conflict involving Iran.
However, Opposition members continued to disrupt the proceedings, raising slogans such as “band karo” (“stop it”) during the minister’s speech.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticised the format of the statement. In a post on X, he said the minister’s suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha did not allow questions or clarifications.
Following protests over the denial of a debate, Opposition members staged a walkout from the House, Ramesh said.
The disruptions were also reflected in the Lok Sabha, which was adjourned till 3 pm after Opposition MPs interrupted Jaishankar’s speech on the Middle East conflict.
Separately, the Opposition has moved a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The notice, submitted during the first phase of the Budget Session, was signed by 118 MPs.
While the All India Trinamool Congress had not signed the motion earlier, the party has now extended its support to the move.
