Jaishankar Calls for Safeguarding Commercial Shipping Amid Middle East Strife

New Delhi’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar talked to Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday, stressing India’s grave worries about the volatile situation in the Middle East. The minister stressed that any strike on trade vessels or their crews is intolerable and will attract strong condemnation from India, no matter who executes it. Jaishankar said Iran briefed him on current incidents and ongoing diplomatic talks, reaffirming India’s support for negotiation over force. The discussion coincided with a series of U.S. military moves, including the diversion of dozens of commercial ships, the disabling of two vessels, and boarding inspections of two others, aimed at ensuring compliance with international maritime law. These actions followed a fresh wave of U.S. strikes on Iranian positions after Iran launched ballistic missiles at American forces in Jordan. India remains firm in urging all sides to avoid escalation that could jeopardise global shipping lanes.