In his opening remarks at the MED (Mediterranean Dialogues) Conference in Rome, India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, addressed pressing global issues, particularly the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. He condemned terrorism, hostage-taking, and unacceptable civilian casualties, advocating for a ceasefire and a two-state solution for Palestine. Dr. Jaishankar emphasized India’s diplomatic engagement with Israel, Iran, and Lebanon, and highlighted the country's commitment to protecting commercial shipping in the Gulf of Aden. He also called for a return to dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the Ukraine conflict, underscoring India's consistent stance against war and its role in facilitating peace. Acknowledging the changing global landscape, he stressed the importance of re-globalization, multi-polarity, and technology-driven growth for a stronger India-Mediterranean partnership.