Amid rising tensions in West Asia, India has intensified diplomatic engagement with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart holding multiple rounds of discussions focused on maritime safety and India’s energy security. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday confirmed that the talks come against the backdrop of unrest in the region and growing concerns over the security of shipping routes, particularly through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Addressing a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the external affairs minister had held three conversations with Iran’s foreign minister in recent days. According to Jaiswal, the most recent discussion centred on issues relating to the safety of shipping and India’s energy security interests.
“External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and the Foreign Minister of Iran have had three conversations in recent days. The last one discussed issues pertaining to the safety of shipping and India’s energy security. Beyond that, it would be premature for me to say anything,” Jaiswal said when asked whether Iran had permitted India-flagged tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors, carrying a significant share of global oil shipments. Any disruption in the passage has the potential to affect international energy markets as well as India’s fuel supply chain, given the country’s heavy reliance on imported crude.
The MEA also provided updates on the situation of Indian nationals currently in Iran. According to Jaiswal, around 9,000 Indians are believed to be in the country, including students, seafarers, business professionals, and pilgrims.
He said several Indian nationals—mostly students—have already returned to India, while others have been relocated within Iran to safer cities away from the conflict-prone areas. Authorities are also facilitating the evacuation of those who wish to leave the country through land routes.
“We’ve had about 9,000 Indian nationals who were there or who are there in Iran. Several Indian nationals, mostly students, have left the country and reached home. We have shifted several Indian nationals, including students and pilgrims who were based in Tehran, to other safer locations,” Jaiswal said.
India is also assisting citizens who wish to travel to neighbouring countries such as Azerbaijan and Armenia, from where they can take commercial flights back home. The government is helping them obtain visas and facilitating land border crossings.
The MEA has urged Indians still in Iran to follow the advisory issued by the Indian Embassy and remain in contact with consular authorities. Jaiswal emphasized that those planning to exit via land borders should strictly adhere to the embassy’s guidelines to ensure safe passage.
During the briefing, Jaiswal also responded strongly to remarks made by Pakistan against India. Rejecting the allegations, he said Islamabad had repeatedly attempted to shift blame for its own actions.
“We reject such baseless allegations. It has become second nature for Pakistan to blame India for its misdeeds,” Jaiswal said. “As a state sponsor of terrorism for decades, Pakistan has zero credibility when it comes to cross-border terrorism. No amount of storytelling is going to alter this reality, nor is anyone fooled by Pakistan’s assumed victimhood.”
As tensions in West Asia continue to evolve, India’s diplomatic outreach and evacuation efforts highlight its dual focus on safeguarding national interests and ensuring the safety of its citizens abroad.
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