New Delhi: India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has held discussions with Iran on energy security and shipping amid the ongoing Middle East
crisis. While the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the talks on Tuesday, it remained tight-lipped regarding specific details of the agreement.
Addressing a press conference, the spokesperson of MEA, Randhir Jaiswal noted that External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Foreign Minister of Iran have had three conversations in recent days. He said, “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 was addressing the questions related to the reports of Iran allowing Indian vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz after Jaishankar’s conversation with his Iranian counterpart. The External Affairs minister’s last conversation with Iran’s FM Araghchi took place on March 10 amid the energy supplies getting halted worldwide after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier, Jaishankar posted on X (formerly Twitter): “A detailed conversation this evening with Foreign Minister Araghchi of Iran on the latest developments regarding the ongoing conflict. We agreed to remain in touch.”
MEA’s update on Indian nationals
In the press conference, the MEA also provided an update on Indian nationals in Iran. Jaiswal said that around 9,000 Indians are currently in the country, including Indian students, seafarers, businessmen and pilgrims. It also revealed that most of the nationals returned to their homes after the advisory was issued on February 24.
Jaiswal added, “We are facilitating all Indians who are willing to return to the country. Our mission is to be in touch with the Indian community. We are encouraging Indians to return, those who wish to do so.”
MEA’s response to Pakistan’s allegation
During the same briefing, when asked about Pakistan’s allegation that India was responsible for its conflict with Afghanistan, Jaiswal rejected the claim, labeling it baseless.
“We reject such baseless allegations. It has become second nature for Pakistan to blame India for its own misdeeds. As a state sponsor of terrorism for decades, Pakistan has zero credibility when it comes to cross-border terrorism,” the spokesperson said.
He further added that no amount of “storytelling” will change this reality, nor can Pakistan’s “assumed victimhood” fool anyone.
