Indian and Iranian security chiefs hold phone talks amid West Asia crisis

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei held a phone conversation on Monday to discuss regional developments and bilateral ties. The talks took place against the backdrop of rising conflict in West Asia, following recent attacks that impacted Indian nationals and merchant vessels. According to the Indian Express, the discussions included the recent attack on Saudi Arabia's international airport in Riyadh. That attack killed 12 people and injured over 300, including one dead and 10 injured Indian nationals, following a strike by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The talks also covered recent drone strikes on commercial ships near the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, including the MT Petrol Dolphin where two Indian seafarers went missing and MT Valthera where a fire broke out. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently urged Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the Brics Summit to resolve the crisis through dialogue and diplomacy while ensuring the safety of seafarers. Eleven Indian seafarers are among the 18 Indians killed so far in the conflict, which began after US and Israeli attacks on Iran in February. India has tried to maintain a balance between its historic ties with Iran and its solidarity with Gulf Arab states that have faced military targets and attacks on civilian infrastructure.

Context

India relies heavily on sea lanes in the Gulf region for energy imports and maritime trade, making the safety of commercial shipping lanes and Indian crews a major diplomatic priority. New Delhi routinely presses for dialogue and diplomacy as a way to resolve regional conflicts without taking sides in military actions.