Jaishankar hails talks with Iran to open Strait of Hormuz, says no “blanket arrangement” for Indian-flagged ships: report

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, in his interview with Iran, praised direct talks with Iran as the most effective way to restart shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Financial Times It was published on Sunday, March 15, 2026.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday, March 14, 2026, called on countries to send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to shipping as Iranian forces respond to US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

Iran-Israel war updates on March 15, 2026

Mr. Trump said in a post on ‌Truth Social‌ that he hoped China, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain and others would send ships to help protect the vital, narrow passage through which about a fifth of global oil passes.

Mr Jaishankar said he had held talks with Tehran and “the talk has yielded some results”.

Two Indian flagged liquefied petroleum gas carriers Shivalik and Nanda ‌Devi, carrying approximately 92,712 metric tons of LPG, crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, March 14, 20260, en route to India. Mr. Jaishankar said: F.T. This was an example of what diplomacy could bring.

“From India’s point of view, it is definitely better for us to reason, coordinate and come to a solution,” he told the newspaper.

Mr Jaishankar said there was no “blanket arrangement” for Indian-flagged ships and Iran did not receive anything in return.

Asked whether European countries could copy India’s arrangement, Jaishankar said any engagement with Iran “stands on its own merits”, making comparisons difficult, but added that India would be happy to share its approach with EU capitals and noted that many of them were also in talks with Tehran.

“While this is a welcome development, discussions are ongoing as there are ongoing studies on this issue,” he said. F.T..