External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar hailed direct talks with Iran as the most effective way to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz amid tensions in West Asia
“I am currently talking to them and my talking has yielded some results,” Jaishankar said Financial Times in an interview published on March 15. He said negotiations were ongoing.
Read also | US-Iran war LIVE: Fuel tank near Dubai airport on fire after ‘drone incident’
“If it’s getting me results, naturally I would continue to look at it,” he said.
Jaishankar held four phone talks with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi after Iran closed the key Strait of Hormuz, cutting off oil and fuel supplies to several countries.
“I had another conversation with Iranian FM @araghchi last night. He discussed bilateral issues as well as BRICS issues,” Jaishankar posted on X on Friday, after the fourth conversation between the two leaders.
“Certainly, from India’s point of view, it is better that we think and coordinate and get a solution than not,” the minister told the FT.
“So if it allows others to get involved, I think the world is better off,” he said.
Two LPG tankers will cross Hormuz
Jaishankar also spoke of the recent transit of two Indian-flagged liquefied petroleum gas carriers through the strait as an example of progress through diplomatic engagement.
The vessels, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, were carrying around 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG and are bound for India. According to reports, they are expected to arrive at Mundra and Kandla ports.
Read also | How will the passage of the petro-yuan through the Strait of Hormuz affect stocks, gold, silver?
However, Jaishankar clarified that India has not reached any “blanket” with Iran regarding Indian-flagged vessels.
US-Israeli attacks on Iran
The conflict in West Asia began after the US and Israel carried out strikes on Iran that led to the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on 28 February 28. Tensions escalated after Iran responded by striking US and Israeli targets across various Gulf countries, damaging vital sea lanes and shaking international energy markets.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the world’s oceans and has become a major problem for the global economy. Iran has vowed to block oil exports from the region, saying it will not allow “not a single liter” to be shipped to its enemies. The snarl sent oil prices above $100 a barrel and threatened a spike in painful inflation across the global economy if the blockade persists.
PM Modi talks to Iranian President
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 12 spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to discuss the escalating situation in West Asia and expressed concern over rising tensions, civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure in the region.
In a post on X, PM Modi said the conversation focused on the “serious situation” unfolding in the region amid intensifying hostilities.
“He reiterated India’s commitment to peace and stability and called for dialogue and diplomacy,” PM Modi said.
(With input from agencies)
