New Delhi, May 15: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Friday met his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi in New Delhi, where the two leaders exchanged views on the evolving situation in West Asia and its wider implications, along with bilateral matters of mutual interest.

EAM Jaishankar also welcomed Araghchi’s participation in the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting being hosted in New Delhi under India’s 2026 chairship.

Following the meeting, EAM posted on X : “Had a detailed conversation with FM Abbas Araghchi of Iran this morning in Delhi. Discussed the situation in West Asia and its implications. Also exchanged views on bilateral issues of mutual interest. Appreciate his participation in BRICS India 2026.”

Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met Iranian Foreign Minister on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi.

The meeting marked the first high-level diplomatic engagement involving India since the Iran war began.

Meanwhile, EAM Jaishankar on Thursday highlighted the fragile security environment in West Asia, stating that the persistent tensions in the region, along with threats to shipping routes and energy infrastructure, remain a matter of global concern.

Delivering the national statement at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi under India’s 2026 chairship, the EAM said, “The conflict in West Asia merits particular attention. Continuing tensions, risks to maritime traffic, and disruptions to energy infrastructure highlight the fragility of the situation. Safe and unimpeded maritime flows through international waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, remain vital for global economic well-being.”

He also reaffirmed India’s “strong commitment” to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.

“Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity must remain the foundation of international relations. Dialogue and diplomacy are the only sustainable means of resolving conflicts,” the EAM said.

In his address at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Thursday, Araghchi urged the global community to condemn “violations of international law” by the United States and Israel and take action against “warmongering”, thereby bringing an end to the impunity of those who violate the UN Charter.

He stated that Iran has been subjected to “brutal and unlawful aggression” by the US and Israel.

“The attacks on my people have been justified with false claims that run counter to the informed assessments of the International Atomic Energy Agency and even America’s own intelligence community. The truth is that Iran — like many other independent nations — is the victim of illegal expansionism and warmongering. These are ugly things which have no place in today’s world,” the Iranian Foreign Minister stated.

Marking Tehran’s first high-level diplomatic outreach since the conflict in West Asia began, Araghchi arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a three-day official visit.

The escalating tensions in West Asia have also rattled global energy markets, with oil and gas prices surging after Iran effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz — the strategic shipping corridor between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that carries nearly 20 per cent of the world’s oil and LNG (liquefied natural gas) supplies.

New Delhi, May 14: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday strongly condemned the attack on an Indian-flagged cargo vessel off the coast of Oman, describing the incident as “unacceptable” and expressing concern over continued attacks on commercial shipping and civilian mariners in the region.

According to reports, the Gujarat-owned cargo ship MSV Haji Ali sank after it was struck by what preliminary reports described as a drone or missile-like projectile on May 13 while sailing through Omani waters.

The vessel was travelling from Berbera Port in Somalia to Sharjah when the incident occurred.

In an official statement, the MEA said, “The attack on an Indian-flagged ship off the coast of Oman yesterday is unacceptable, and we deplore the fact that commercial shipping and civilian mariners continue to be targeted.”

The Ministry also confirmed that all Indian crew members onboard the vessel were safe and thanked the Omani authorities for carrying out the rescue operation promptly.

“India reiterates that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, should be avoided,” the statement added.

Teams from the Oman Coast Guard launched a swift rescue operation and safely evacuated all 14 crew members despite the ship catching fire after the strike, according to several local media outlets.

The vessel reportedly became stranded off the Omani coast at around 3:30 a.m. (local time), according to the ship’s owner, Sultan Ahmed Ansar, who is a resident of Dwarka in Gujarat.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the region and renewed concerns over the safety of international maritime routes and commercial vessels operating in West Asian waters.

The crisis in West Asia erupted following the US-Israel joint strikes against Iran on February 28. Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was killed during these strikes.

Tehran retaliated with a series of attacks against Israel and US military bases in the Gulf nations. This triggered a wider crisis in the Gulf region as Iran announced blocking the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran, May 11: Iran’s latest draft proposal for talks with the United States calls for an immediate cessation of conflict on all fronts, a guarantee for no more “aggression” against Iran, and the lifting of US sanctions and naval blockade, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

“The proposal highlights the need to immediately end the war, provide guarantees for the non-repetition of the aggression against Iran, and certain other issues within a political agreement,” Tasnim cited an informed source as saying.

It also demands a 30-day window for rescinding US sanctions on Iranian oil sales, and the release of Iran’s frozen assets following the preliminary agreement, it reported.

The United States and Israel conducted joint strikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities on February 28, killing Iran’s then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior Iranian officials and civilians. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks against Israel and US interests in the region and tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz, Xinhua news agency reported.

A ceasefire between the warring parties took effect on April 8, which was followed by talks between Iranian and US delegations in Pakistan’s Islamabad on April 11 and 12 that ended without an agreement. Later, the United States imposed its own blockade on the strait.

Over the past weeks, the two sides have reportedly exchanged several proposed plans outlining conditions for ending the conflict through Pakistan.

Earlier on Sunday, Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported that Iran’s response to the latest US proposal was sent to Pakistan. On Sunday evening, US President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social that the response is “totally unacceptable.”

“I have just read the response from Iran’s so-called ‘Representatives.’ I don’t like it — TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social, without elaborating.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Iran needs to “make it clear” that they do not seek a nuclear weapon, which Washington sees as crucial to a peace deal.