India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar urged Iran to avoid attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers during a telephonic conversation with Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi [1].
The request comes as India seeks to safeguard maritime security and trade routes amid an escalating conflict in West Asia [1, 4]. Because a significant portion of global trade passes through these waters, any disruption to commercial vessels could impact international economic stability, and the safety of crew members [1, 4].
During the call, Jaishankar conveyed India's deep concern regarding the volatility of the region [1, 4]. He said that attacks on commercial vessels and seafarers must be avoided under any circumstance [3]. The conversation focused on the broader West Asia region and the risks associated with the current geopolitical tensions [2, 4].
Jaishankar said, "India is always supportive of dialogue and diplomacy" [2]. He said that during the discussion, India was apprised of Iran's perspective on the situation [2].
India's diplomatic outreach emphasizes a preference for stability over military escalation. By directly engaging with Iranian leadership, New Delhi aims to ensure that commercial interests remain insulated from political and military confrontations in the region [1, 3].
“"We strongly urge that attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers be avoided under any circumstance."”
This diplomatic move signals India's strategic priority to maintain an open and secure maritime corridor in West Asia. By urging Iran to spare commercial shipping, India is attempting to decouple global trade and the safety of civilian sailors from the regional power struggles, reflecting its broader policy of maintaining balanced relations with multiple regional actors to ensure economic security.
