Top security chiefs of India and Iran hold talks amid surging tensions across Gulf region

Security Talks

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval spoke on the phone with his Iranian counterpart Mohsen Rezaei on Monday to discuss regional developments and bilateral relations. The phone call followed a sharp escalation in hostilities across West Asia, involving attacks on airports and commercial ships.

Airport And Vessel Attacks

The discussions touched upon recent strikes targeting Saudi Arabia, including an assault on the international airport in Riyadh that claimed 12 lives and left over 300 injured, according to reports. One Indian national died and 10 others sustained injuries in that airport incident, which was carried out by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Separately, two merchant ships with Indian crew members came under attack near the Strait of Hormuz. Eleven Indian seafarers were aboard MT Petro Dolphin, where a drone strike left two missing, while another vessel named MT Valthera caught fire after being hit by an unknown projectile, though all 11 Indian crew members on it remained safe.

Diplomatic Stance

India has continuously urged all sides to resolve the regional conflict through talks and diplomacy rather than violence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi previously pressed Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the same issue during a meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, emphasizing the need for safe navigation for seafarers. While the Iranian embassy shared details of the Doval-Rezaei conversation on social media, New Delhi did not issue an official statement on the interaction.

Context

India maintains strong diplomatic and economic ties with nations across the Gulf region, making peace and stability in West Asia vital for its energy imports and diaspora. Protecting merchant shipping lanes like the Strait of Hormuz is essential for the safe movement of cargo and personnel critical to the national economy.