India's prime minister addresses Middle East conflict and shipping security

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to speak with India's state chief ministers about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. He also publicly rejected the idea of a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route, and stated that a secret diplomatic pathway has been secured to ensure the safe passage of Indian ships through the region.

Meanwhile, the opposition Congress party has repeated its call for the Indian government to formally condemn a recent U.S. and Israel aerial assault on Iran. Modi's public remarks on the Middle East situation are described as rare.