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International Relations April 29, 2026 4 min read Daily brief · #3 of 19

Israel-Iran war LIVE: Jaishankar holds talks with Iran's Foreign Minister on West Asia situation

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi held a phone conversation with India's External Affairs Minister on April 29, 2026, to discuss the latest develo...

GS Paper 2 (International Relations India's Foreign Policy)

What Happened

  • Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi held a phone conversation with India's External Affairs Minister on April 29, 2026, to discuss the latest developments in the Israel-Iran conflict, including ceasefire prospects.
  • The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and agreed to remain in close contact as the regional situation remained volatile.
  • The call was part of India's sustained diplomatic outreach to key West Asian stakeholders — including earlier separate engagements with the UAE and Qatar — reflecting India's "multi-alignment" approach in a conflict zone.
  • A key concern driving India's engagement: the possibility of closure or disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 50% of India's crude oil imports and over 60% of its LNG/LPG shipments transit.
  • India's stated position has consistently called for de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomatic resolution of the West Asia conflict.

Static Topic Bridges

India's "Multi-Alignment" Doctrine and West Asia Policy

India's foreign policy in West Asia is guided by the principle of strategic autonomy — maintaining relationships with multiple, often competing, actors without formal alliance commitments. This has evolved from the "Look West" policy to the "Link West" and "Think West" frameworks, signalling a shift from mere connectivity to proactive diplomatic and economic engagement. India maintains defence and technology cooperation with Israel, strategic energy and diaspora linkages with Gulf states, and continental connectivity interests tied to Iran.

  • India abstained on multiple UN resolutions related to the Israel-Gaza/Iran conflict, consistent with its strategic autonomy doctrine.
  • India maintains the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE (signed February 2022, India's first bilateral CEPA in a decade).
  • The India-GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue was first convened in September 2024 in Riyadh.
  • Nearly 10 million Indian expatriates reside in GCC countries, contributing over $50 billion annually in remittances (approximately 38% of India's total remittance inflows).
  • India-GCC bilateral trade reached approximately $178.5 billion in FY 2024-25, making the GCC India's largest merchandise trading partner.

Connection to this news: India's diplomatic contacts with Iran, UAE, and Qatar during the escalating West Asia conflict reflect the operationalisation of the "Think West" doctrine — preserving all diplomatic channels to protect energy security, diaspora interests, and regional connectivity simultaneously.

Strait of Hormuz: India's Energy Security Chokepoint

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is the world's most critical oil transit chokepoint. Located between Iran (to the north) and the UAE and Oman (to the south), it is only 21 miles wide at its narrowest navigable point. There is no comparable alternative route for the volume of energy it carries.

  • In 2024, approximately 20 million barrels per day (b/d) of oil flowed through the strait — roughly 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption and ~25% of global seaborne oil trade.
  • Approximately 50% of India's crude oil imports and over 60% of its LNG and LPG shipments transit the Strait of Hormuz.
  • India's overall crude oil import dependence stands at approximately 87-88% of consumption.
  • ~89% of oil passing through the strait is destined for Asian markets; China is the largest single recipient (37.7% of all exports via the strait).
  • India imports crude oil from roughly 40 countries, with efforts to diversify away from Hormuz-dependent routes accelerated since 2022.

Connection to this news: The possibility of Iran closing or disrupting the Strait of Hormuz — a leverage tool in Iran's conflict posture — directly threatens India's energy security, making diplomatic engagement with Tehran a strategic imperative rather than a routine courtesy.

Chabahar Port and India-Iran Connectivity

The Chabahar Port, located on Iran's southeastern coast (Gulf of Oman), is India's most significant strategic infrastructure investment in West Asia. It bypasses Pakistan entirely and provides India with a direct land-sea route to Afghanistan and Central Asia. Chabahar is Iran's only oceanic port with direct Indian Ocean access.

  • India signed the Chabahar Port Agreement with Iran in May 2016; the long-term bilateral contract for operating the Shahid Beheshti terminal was signed in May 2024 (10-year agreement worth $370 million investment commitment).
  • Chabahar is a critical node in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) — a multi-modal route linking India via Iran and Russia to Northern Europe.
  • The INSTC offers up to 30% cost savings and 40% shorter transit time compared to the traditional Suez Canal route.
  • Despite US sanctions on Iran, India secured an exemption for Chabahar port operations given its humanitarian access role for Afghanistan.
  • The port provides India strategic depth: it circumvents the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and offers Central Asian republics their shortest sea access route.

Connection to this news: India's engagement with Iran's Foreign Minister carries an implicit dimension of protecting Chabahar-related interests. Escalation in West Asia risks Indian investments, bilateral trade, and the connectivity architecture India has painstakingly built around Iran.

Key Facts & Data

  • India-GCC bilateral trade: ~$178.5 billion (FY 2024-25)
  • Indian expatriates in GCC: ~10 million
  • GCC remittances to India: ~$50 billion/year (38% of India's total remittances)
  • Strait of Hormuz: ~20 million b/d throughput; ~20% of global oil consumption
  • India's crude passing through Hormuz: ~50% of total crude imports
  • India's crude oil import dependence: ~87-88% of consumption
  • Chabahar 10-year contract signed: May 2024 ($370 million investment)
  • INSTC: 30% cost reduction vs. Suez Canal route
  • Iran's FM: Seyed Abbas Araghchi
  • India-UAE CEPA signed: February 2022
On this page
  1. What Happened
  2. Static Topic Bridges
  3. India's "Multi-Alignment" Doctrine and West Asia Policy
  4. Strait of Hormuz: India's Energy Security Chokepoint
  5. Chabahar Port and India-Iran Connectivity
  6. Key Facts & Data
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