Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday night. Furthermore, this marked the fourth direct conversation since the crisis began on February 18. Additionally, Araghchi briefed Jaishankar on the latest situation following US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Moreover, he stressed Iran’s determination to exercise its legitimate right of self-defence firmly. Consequently, Tehran continues treating India as a key diplomatic interlocutor throughout this escalating crisis. Therefore, India finds itself at the centre of critical Middle East diplomatic conversations repeatedly.
What Iran Told India
Tehran’s official readout revealed the substance of Araghchi’s conversation with Jaishankar directly. Furthermore, Araghchi described the US and Israeli strikes as attacks that seriously impact regional and global stability. Additionally, he called on international and regional organisations to condemn the military aggression openly. Moreover, he specifically highlighted the importance of BRICS in supporting global stability going forward. Consequently, Iran urged India to use its BRICS platform to rally international support actively. Furthermore, Araghchi stressed that all governments carry a responsibility to condemn this military aggression. Therefore, Tehran clearly sought India’s diplomatic backing through multiple international platforms simultaneously.
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Jaishankar confirmed the conversation publicly through a post on social media. Furthermore, he stated that both ministers discussed bilateral matters and BRICS-related issues directly. Additionally, Tehran’s readout revealed that Jaishankar expressed India’s readiness to expand bilateral cooperation actively. Moreover, he emphasized the need to strengthen lasting stability and security across the region firmly. Consequently, India maintained its carefully balanced diplomatic position without taking any direct sides. Therefore, New Delhi signalled willingness to engage constructively while avoiding open confrontation with Washington simultaneously.
A Timeline of Four Critical Conversations
The first call happened on February 28, the day US and Israeli strikes killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Furthermore, both ministers spoke again on March 5 as regional tensions continued escalating rapidly. Additionally, they held a detailed conversation on March 10 covering the consequences of widespread civilian attacks directly. Moreover, that March 10 call specifically addressed a missile strike on a girls’ elementary school in Iran. Furthermore, both ministers discussed the dangerous impact on Strait of Hormuz shipping traffic extensively. Consequently, Thursday’s fourth call added BRICS cooperation and broader geopolitical developments to the agenda. Therefore, four calls in under a month reveal the extraordinary urgency Tehran attaches to India’s diplomatic engagement.
The Hormuz Crisis Hits India Directly
India’s engagement with Iran carries urgent and practical energy security motivations beyond pure diplomacy. Furthermore, the Strait of Hormuz handles roughly 20% of global oil and LNG shipments daily. Additionally, Iran effectively moved to block this critical shipping lane after the crisis escalated sharply. Moreover, global oil and gas prices surged immediately after Iran’s Hormuz blockade began impacting markets. Consequently, New Delhi entered direct negotiations with Tehran to secure safe tanker passage urgently. Furthermore, over 20 Indian oil and gas tankers currently need guaranteed safe Hormuz passage immediately. Therefore, India’s Ministry of External Affairs now directly handles these sensitive and critical negotiations actively.
India Stays Engaged as Crisis Deepens
The West Asia crisis continues rattling global energy markets with no clear resolution in sight. Furthermore, Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Israel and US bases across the Persian Gulf intensified regional instability significantly. Additionally, India’s sustained diplomatic engagement with Tehran reflects its deep energy and strategic interests in the region. Moreover, Jaishankar’s measured responses after each call signal India’s careful navigation between Washington and Tehran simultaneously. Consequently, as long as the crisis continues, Tehran will keep calling New Delhi. Therefore, India’s role as a quiet but critical diplomatic bridge in this conflict will only grow more significant with every passing day.
