Breaking News:As tensions escalate, PM Modi calls for ‘dialogue and diplomacy’| India News– What Just Happened

Kerala education minister V Sivankutty on Monday announced that the SSLC and the High Secondary examinations in Gulf centres were being postponed amid the intensifying conflict in the Middle East.

“With the conflict intensifying in the Middle East, conducting examinations in the Gulf region has become a major challenge. In this situation, the SSLC exam scheduled for March 5 and the Higher Secondary exams on March 5, 6, and 7 in the Gulf centers have now been postponed. The revised dates will be announced later,” Sivankutty said.

He added, “We understand that many students in both the Gulf and Kerala are anxious because they are unable to reach their exam centres. The Department of General Education stands firmly with these children.”

PM Modi said on Monday that the government is working with West Asian countries to ensure the safety of Indian nationals as tensions continue to escalate in the region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reacted to the escalating conflict in West Asia and said it is a “grave concern” for India.

Ali Larijani, the head of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, accused US President Donald Trump of dragging “the region into turmoil with “delusional ambitions” and is now concerned about further American casualties”.

“Through misguided actions, he turned his self-styled slogan “America First” into “Israel First,” sacrificing American soldiers for Israel’s pursuit of power. With new fabrications, he is once again imposing the cost of his personality cult on American troops and their families. Today, the Iranian nation is defending itself. The Armed Forces of Iran did not initiate the aggression,” he added.

China on Monday reacted to the recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran, stating that they violate international law. The Chinese foreign ministry said that Beijing is highly concerned about a spillover of the conflict.

“China believes regional countries’ security, territorial integrity should be respected,” it said, adding that it urges all parties to cease military operations.

With reference to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, China said it opposes the “use of force” in international relations.

Akasa Air has cancelled flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait and Riyadh amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

“We will continue updating our flight status for these destinations, basis the prevailing situation at the time. For all bookings made to/from these cities until March 07, 2026, passengers may opt for a full refund or reschedule their travel at no additional cost,” it added.

The union home ministry has asked states to keep an eye on pro-Iran radical preachers making inflammatory remarks that may result in violence in the wake of the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war.

Officials said that the ministry also asked all states and Union Territories to keep vigil on social media activities of extremists and global terror group handles.

After smoke was seen rising from the US embassy vicinity in Kuwait, the American mission said that there is a “continuing threat of missile and UAV attacks” over the city.

The mission also urged people not to come to the embassy and asked them to take cover.

Smoke was seen rising from the vicinity of the US embassy in Kuwait, a witness told Reuters, adding that fire fighters and ambulances were seen in the area.

AFP reporters and witnesses said they heard several loud blasts in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Manama and Kuwait City.

Authorities imposed severe curbs on the movement of people in parts of Kashmir on Monday after massive street protests took place the previous day against the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The iconic Ghanta Ghar at Lal Chowk has been sealed with barricades all around it, officials were cited as saying by news agency PTI.

They said that a large number of police and paramilitary CRPF have been deployed across the city to prevent protestors’ gatherings.

As flight operations have taken a hit amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, passengers were stranded at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.

A passenger reportedly claimed that almost all routes to the Middle East are getting cancelled, making it difficult to travel to Mecca and Medina for Ramadan.

“I work in the travel industry. An Air India flight from Mumbai, in which a few of my clients were supposed to travel, has also been cancelled… We are not getting any updates on rescheduling…People from here go to Mecca and Medina for worship during Ramadan. Almost all flights to the Middle East are currently being cancelled,” he told news agency ANI.

Several flights have been cancelled at the Chennai International Airport due to airspace closures over parts of the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US.

Ali Larijani, the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said in a post on X on Monday that Tehran “will not negotiate with the United States.

Larijani denied media reports that Iranian officials had sought to initiate talks with the Trump administration after a wave of US-Israeli strikes over the weekend.

Iran-US war impact on India LIVE: If you are an Indian national stranded in Abu Dhabi, UAE, you can reach out for assistance at toll-free number — 800-46342 — or WhatsApp number — +971543090571.

Indian nationals can also reach out via email at pbsk.dubai@mea.gov.in or ca.abudhabi@mea.gov.in

Iran-US war impact on India LIVE: The ministry of external affairs has issued emergency numbers for Indian nationals in the Middle Eastern countries.

The contact number for Doha, Qatar is +970592916418

Indian citizens can also reach out to authorities in Doha via repoffice@mea.gov.in or cons.ramallah@mea.gov.in

Badminton star PV Sindhu on Sunday described a “tense and scary” ordeal at the Dubai International Airport, where she and her Indonesian coach were stranded after an explosion occurred close to the area where they were staying amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and Gulf region.

“Once our flight landed in Dubai, events beyond our control began to unfold. Shortly after, the airspace was shut down and the last few hours have been extremely tense. We could hear the sounds of interceptions overhead,” Sindhu told PTI videos.

“A few hours later there was an explosion very close to where we were holed up at Dubai airport. My coach was barely about 100 metres away when it happened and had to quickly move out of the area. Experiencing something like this in such close quarters truly shakes the very foundation you’re built on,” she added.

Sindhu said she and her support staff have been moved to a secure location.

“We are all safe now and have been moved to a more secure place, thanks to the tireless efforts of the staff at Dubai Airport and the Dubai authorities,” she said.

Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East region and retaliatory strikes flying from Iran and Israel’s sides, Cyprus has confirmed that a drone attack targeted a British base on the island and caused damage.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) reviewed the evolving situation in West Asia during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday night, directing all concerned departments to take necessary measures to assist Indian nationals stranded in the conflict-hit regions, including Iran, Israel, and the UAE.

An official statement said, “It (CCS) expressed serious concern over the safety and security of the large Indian expatriate community in the region.”

“The CCS directed all concerned departments to take necessary and feasible measures to assist Indian nationals affected by the developments. It underscored the importance of an early cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue and diplomacy,” the statement added.

BJP MP Hemang Joshi said on Sunday that more than 45 tourists from Gujarat’s Vadodara district are currently stranded in transit at Dubai International Airport and Zayed International Airport after flight cancellations continued amid escalating war-like situation in parts of the Middle East and the Gulf region.

“Given the war situation that has developed in the Middle East and the Gulf, and the fact that we know that most transit flights pass through Dubai and the entire region, there have been reports of many passengers stranded at the airport and within Dubai due to the cancellation of flights. There are also many passengers from the Vadodara district who are currently stranded there due to the cancellation of their flights,” Joshi told news agency ANI.

“However, based on the information we have received so far, over 45 tourists from the Vadodara district are stranded in transit at Dubai Airport or Abu Dhabi Airport. However, they have not faced any problems yet. Depending on how the situation evolves, we will determine how we can provide further assistance,” he added.

Several Indians are stuck in Dubai amid the ongoing conflict in Middle East and airstrikes from Iran and Israel.

Actors Subhashree Ganguly and Sonal Chauhan are among citizens stuck in UAE.

Ganguly was holidaying in Dubai with her minor son. Her husband, TMC legislator Raj Chakraborty, told the media that both are “in a hotel and safe.” “We are deeply concerned, although civilians are known to be safe in Dubai. Let’s see when the flight operations resume,” he said.

The Indian embassy in Syria’s Damascus cautioned its nationals in view of the “current regional situation”.

“All Indian nationals in Syria are advised to avoid unnecessary travel, take due care, remain vigilant, follow safety guidelines and advisories as and when issued by the Embassy and the Syrian Authorities,” the Embassy said.

Amid the ongoing tense situations in West Asia, the Consulate General of India in Turkey’s Istanbul issued an advisory after flight cancellations and diversions at Istanbul Grand Airport and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport.

The Consulate said that it is “closely monitoring the situation arising from the cancellation and diversion of flights” at the two airports.

The mission “remains in constant communication with the concerned airlines as well as Indian passengers who may be affected”, it added.

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah spoke to Kannadigas stranded in Dubai through a video call on Sunday, assuring them of their safe return home.

In a post on X, the Karnataka CMO said that the chief minister took stock of the current situation of the state’s citizens in the war-affected areas, including Dubai, and instructed the chief secretary to coordinate with the foreign ministry to bring the stranded citizens back home safely.

“I have spoken with Kannadigas stranded in Dubai due to the tense situation between Israel and Iran, and reassured them. After discussions with officials, I have gathered information on the current situation of Kannadigas stranded in war-affected areas including Dubai, and subsequently instructed the Chief Secretary to coordinate with Foreign Ministry officials to bring them back safely,” said Karnataka CMO.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday night chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security at his official residence in Lok Kalyan Marg.

The meeting of the highest decision-making body on security and strategic matters of India was attended by members, including defence minister Rajnath Singh, external affairs minister S Jaishankar, home minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and foreign secretary Vikram Misri.

The developing situation in West Asia, the safety of Indian nationals living in the region, and also those who are stranded, and how to deal with the situation if it worsens, were likely the points discussed in the meeting, news agency PTI reported, citing sources.

Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, security was tightened outside the US Consulate in Telangana’s Hyderabad on Sunday.

Additional forces were deployed outside the consulate in Nanakramguda as a precautionary measure.