External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has clarified that India has not reached any “blanket” with Iran over Indian-flagged vessels that recently passed through the Strait of Hormuz amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
The minister in an interview with Financial Timeshe said that “every movement of the ship is an individual event”. He also denied that Iran had received anything from India in exchange for allowing vessels to pass through the choke point.
“It’s not an exchange,” Jaishankar said.
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“India and Iran have a relationship. And this is a conflict that we consider very unfortunate.”
Jaishankar welcomed direct talks with Iran as the most effective way to resume transit through Iran Strait of Hormuz amid tensions in the Middle East and said the talks had taken place produced some results.
“I am currently talking to them and my talking has yielded some results,” Jaishankar said Financial Times in an interview published on March 15.
What can diplomacy bring?
Jaishankar told the FT that negotiations between New Delhi and Tehran, which allowed two Indian-flagged gas tankers to pass through the strait on Saturday, were an example of what diplomacy can do.
Jaishankar was referring to the recent transit of the two Indian-flagged LPG carriers 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.
“Certainly from India’s point of view, it is better that we think and coordinate and get a solution than not,” he added. “So if it allows others to get involved, I think the world is a better place.”
Jaishankar said the talks are continuing as there are more Indian ships in the strait.
“It’s still early days. We’ve got a lot more ships out there. So while it’s a welcome development, the conversation continues because it’s a constant work in progress,” he added.
Jaishankar had four phone calls with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchias a result of Iran closing the key Strait of Hormuz, hampering the supply of oil and fuel 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.
The crisis of West Asia
The ongoing conflict in West Asia began on February 28 after the US and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran that also killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
In response, Iran launched retaliatory attacks on US-Israeli military bases in neighboring countries.
From India’s point of view, it is certainly better if we think and coordinate and find a solution than not.
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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.
The International Energy Agency said on Thursday that the fighting had caused the biggest supply disruption in the history of the world oil market.
