Delhi engages Tehran to secure shipping lanes
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar held talks with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Thursday night, their fourth such conversation since the West Asia crisis began. Currently, 28 merchant vessels are stationed on either side of the Strait of Hormuz. “Had another conversation with Iranian FM @araghchi yesterday night. Discussed bilateral matters as also BRICS related issues,” the minister posted on social media.
The latest phone conversation came as India ramped up efforts to secure safe passage to the Indian-flagged merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been partially blocked by Tehran following the conflict in the region. An Iranian readout said Araghchi briefed his Indian counterpart on the latest situation “resulting from the aggressions and crimes” committed by the US and Israel against Iran and its consequences on the stability and security of the region and the world. The Iranian foreign minister emphasised Tehran’s firm will to exercise the “legitimate right to self-defence”.
“Referring to the importance of the role and position of BRICS as a forum for developing multilateral cooperation, he considered it essential for this institution to play a constructive role at the current juncture to support stability and security in the region and the world,” the readout read.
On Thursday evening, PM Narendra Modi also spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and underlined India’s commitment to peace and dialogue. This was the first direct contact between the two leaders since the Iran conflict began last month. Prime Minister Modi has spoken to leaders of several West Asian countries in the last 10 days in the wake of the ongoing conflict.Earlier, India highlighted a high-level diplomatic effort to protect its interests, stressing the twin priorities of citizen safety and the stability of energy supply chains.
