The Indian PM has reiterated the need for lasting peace and stability amid talks to end the Middle East crisis in a call with Masoud Pezeshkian
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed the need to maintain freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz during a call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Modi welcomed the initial ceasefire agreement reached between Iran and the US that has paved the way for broader talks to find a lasting solution to the Middle East conflict.
He reiterated the need for continued efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region and for safeguarding freedom of navigation and commerce.
The Indian leader emphasized New Delhi’s “consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy,” the government said in a statement on Tuesday.
The US-Iran peace talks are clouded by the confusion over who controls the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says it is entitled to charge a toll as part of the broad peace framework that will be in place after 60 days of negotiations, while the US insists that shipping traffic cannot be charged.
The US-Israeli attacks on Iran at the end of February led to Tehran closing the strait, with Washington responding by imposing a naval blockade of Iranian ports. The blockades hit shipping in the chokepoint, through which a fifth of the world’s energy shipments passed before the conflict began, sending global oil prices soaring to as high as $120 a barrel.
India, which is heavily dependent on imports for its energy needs, has diversified its oil basket since the war erupted, with New Delhi’s oil imports from Russia hitting record levels in June.
President Pezeshkian briefed Modi on the recent developments in the Middle East and the path ahead amid the peace talks.
READ MORE: Indias oil imports from Russia soar despite end of US waiver
Pezeshkian had invited Modi to the state funeral for late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, scheduled to be held between July 4 and July 9. New Delhi, however, is reportedly sending state governor Ata Hasnain and Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita to the ceremonies as representatives.
Khamenei was killed on February 28, the first day of the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.
(RT.com)
