West Asia situation to impact India's interest in the region: Defence Ministry

NEW DELHI: Continuing uncertainty in West Asia will have a major impact on India's interests in the region including the uninterrupted flow of energy sources, the Defence Ministry has said.

In its annual report, the ministry said the extension of Syrian conflict in Iraq has serious ramifications for the region and India has expressed deep concern at the violence and loss of human lives there.

"West Asian region continues to face volatility and instability in the wake of changes brought about by the Arab Spring as it has ushered in transformation in the region and as a consequence, a number of non-state actors have emerged in the region," it said.

"Continuing unrest and uncertainty in West Asia has major impact on India's diverse interests in the region, which include the safety and security of nearly 70 lakh Indians who live and work there as well as uninterrupted flow of India's energy imports from there," the report said.

There are several conflicts going on in West Asia including the Israel-Palestine rift and the fighting between government forces and the militants of Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL).

The report said the "escalation of violence between Palestine and Israel is a matter of concern and further threatens the peace and security of the region."

On Iran, the ministry said the Persian nation occupies an important place in the economic and security calculus of India.