June 24,2025
What happened?
India has expressed deep concern over the recent attacks on nuclear facilities in Iran, highlighting the serious risks these incidents pose to regional stability, public health, and environmental safety. This concern was voiced during a special meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors, where India called for urgent attention to the matter. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva and the IAEA, Shambhu S. Kumaran, conveyed the country’s “deep concern over recent escalation of the situation in the Middle East, including the attacks on several nuclear facilities in Iran”. India urged the IAEA to keep member states regularly informed about the extent of damage to Iranian facilities and to report on any radiation-related risks. India also called on all concerned parties to exercise maximum restraint to prevent further escalation that could jeopardise nuclear safety , and reaffirmed its willingness to extend all possible support to efforts aimed at safeguarding nuclear facilities in the region.
Why it matters to India
India’s expression of deep concern at the IAEA reflects its commitment to nuclear safety and non-proliferation, which are critical components of its foreign policy. The escalation in the Middle East and attacks on nuclear facilities pose significant risks to regional stability, directly impacting India’s geopolitical and economic interests in the region, including the safety of its large diaspora. India’s call for restraint and its willingness to offer support underscore its role as a responsible global actor committed to de-escalation and peaceful resolutions in conflicts. Monitoring and mitigating radiation-related risks from such attacks is also a public health and environmental concern for India due to potential widespread implications