UN invited many countries for talks on the Strait of Hormuz, India’s Foreign Secretary attended this meeting.

New Delhi. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India’s stand to ensure safe and unimpeded transit through the Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions in West Asia. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India supports maritime security with free and open commercial shipping, in line with international law. Speaking at a media briefing, Jaiswal informed that the UK has invited India for talks on the Strait of Hormuz and India’s Foreign Secretary will attend the meeting. He further said that India is in touch with Iran and other countries to ensure unhindered movement and safe passage for Indian ships carrying LPG, LNG and other products.

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Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the UK side has invited several countries, including India, for talks on the Strait of Hormuz. From our side the Foreign Secretary has attended this meeting. We are in touch with Iran and other countries there to ensure how we can achieve uninterrupted and safe transit for our ships which are carrying LPG, LNG and other products. Through these ongoing talks over the past several days, our six Indian ships have been successful in safely transiting the Strait of Hormuz, and we remain in constant touch with the parties concerned. Regarding the security of Indian citizens, Jaiswal said that about one crore Indian citizens live in the GCC countries. They are all safe. Our embassies in all these countries are in constant touch with them. He said that so far eight Indian citizens have died in this conflict and one is reported missing. MEA In coordination with our Ministry of Shipping and all our Indian Embassies in the region, we are dedicated to protecting the security and interests of our citizens. We are closely monitoring all developments in the Gulf region, including the ongoing conflict and the Strait of Hormuz.

India has also facilitated the evacuation of 204 citizens from Iran through the land border towards Azerbaijan and more citizens are expected to return in the coming days. Jaiswal thanked the Azerbaijan government for its cooperation. He said that many of our Indian citizens have been able to escape from Iran to Azerbaijan through the land border and from there they will return to their homes. Many of them have returned and the rest will return in the next few days. We are grateful to the Government of Azerbaijan for helping us in evacuating Indian citizens from Iran through the land border. Regarding Bahrain’s proposal in the UN Security Council, Jaiswal said that this particular proposal is currently under consideration in the UN Security Council. We are aware of this proposal. We are also aware that the parties concerned are currently negotiating a draft of this proposal. As far as India is concerned, we are in favor of maritime security with free and open commercial navigation in accordance with international law. We have consistently raised the issue of ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as a priority. We are also closely monitoring all the developments related to this ongoing conflict in West Asia.