Desk: India on Wednesday welcomed the two-week conditional ceasefire between the United States and Iran, urging that the Strait of Hormuz remain open for unhindered shipping. New Delhi expressed hope for the early restoration of lasting peace in West Asia and emphasized that reducing tensions through dialogue and diplomacy is the only way to end the conflict.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randeep Jaiswal said, “We welcome the ceasefire and hope it will contribute to lasting peace in West Asia. As we have consistently stated, reducing tensions and resolving the current conflict through dialogue and diplomacy is the only path forward.”
Jaiswal added that the conflict has already caused immense suffering to people and disrupted global energy supply and trade networks. India hopes that maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and global commercial flows will remain uninterrupted. He stressed that nearly 20 percent of global oil and LNG transportation passes through this vital waterway, highlighting the need for smooth operations.
The spokesperson clarified that India is maintaining close contact with Iran and other stakeholders to ensure the safety of Indian vessels, many of which have already crossed the Strait safely. He also noted that there have been no discussions with Iran regarding any fees for ships passing through the waterway.
7,500 Indians in Iran
Jaiswal stated that the safety and welfare of the large Indian community in West Asia is a top priority. Currently, about 7,500 Indian citizens remain in Iran. The Indian Embassy in Tehran has advised citizens to leave the country. As of Tuesday, 1,864 Indians, including 935 students and 472 fishermen, have exited Iran via Armenia and Azerbaijan.
US and Iran Conditions
India’s response came just hours after the US and Iran agreed on the conditional ceasefire. US President Donald Trump posted that the US is prepared to suspend bombing and attacks on Iran for two weeks, provided Iran agrees to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump claimed that the US has achieved all its military objectives.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that if attacks are halted, Iran’s armed forces will suspend their defensive operations. He clarified that passage through the Strait of Hormuz would be under Iranian military supervision, ensuring safe navigation during the two-week period.