Jaishankar discusses Gulf conflict with Iranian counterpart at UN
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met the foreign ministers of Iran and Russia during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Discussions covered the Gulf conflict, bilateral relations and BRICS cooperation, while India also reiterated support for safe commercial shipping and freedom of navigation.
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held separate meetings with the foreign ministers of Iran and Russia on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, according to The Hindu. Jaishankar said his discussion with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi focused on the latest developments in the Gulf conflict.
He added that the two officials would remain in contact, without providing further details of the conversation. The meeting took place as Iran and the United States remained engaged in a dispute involving the Strait of Hormuz. The source material separately reports that Tehran has proposed a plan to reopen the strategic waterway under specified conditions.
Jaishankar also met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The Indian minister said they exchanged views on ongoing issues and reviewed bilateral and BRICS cooperation. A readout from Russia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said the officials discussed Russian-Indian cooperation, future bilateral contacts, the Ukraine crisis and the situation in the Middle East.
It said they intended to continue strengthening their strategic partnership and coordinating through the United Nations, G20, BRICS and other groups. The meetings followed US President Donald Trump’s signing of legislation authorising expanded sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia and Iran, including measures affecting trading partners in the oil and gas sector. India has said it remains committed to energy security through diversified sourcing.
Jaishankar also co-chaired an India-Gulf Cooperation Council ministerial meeting. The participants reviewed the 2024–28 joint action plan, welcomed negotiations on an India-GCC free trade agreement and discussed trade, investment, energy, food security, health, technology, culture and people-to-people links. India reiterated its support for freedom of navigation and the safety of seafarers and commercial shipping.
Jaishankar additionally spoke at a session on artificial intelligence and maritime security, warning that the technology could improve maritime awareness and rescue operations while also creating risks involving reconnaissance, cyber operations and autonomous systems.
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